Lorry drivers working for bread maker Hovis in Avonmouth are due to go out on strike from tomorrow (24 September) after rejecting what they said was a real terms pay cut.
Around 60 distribution drivers said they would commence indefinite strikes after staff were offered a 3% pay rise by their employer.
In response, Hovis said it was disappointed the action was being taken, particularly given the economic challenges facing the bakery sector.
The Bristol site supplies shops in the region with Hovis products including bread and other bakery items such as burger buns and muffins.
The Unite union said thousands of loaves of bread were made at the site each hour and industrial action would lead to shortages in supermarkets and retail outlets throughout the South West and as far as the West Midlands.
The union said that with RPI currently standing at 3.4%, Hovis had effectively handed the drivers a pay cut.
Unite claimed workers at the Belfast depot had been offered additional benefits, including a commission of two pence per product for all items sold and a holiday premium rate of an additional 50% of the contracted basic hourly rate for those who work over five designated holidays.
The Bristol workers are seeking the same enhancements.
In July, Associated British Foods (ABF) acquired Hovis and Unite said its annual report showed it had generated an adjusted operating profit of £1.73bn last year.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Hovis is owned by an incredibly profitable company and can more than afford to pay the same rates to its Avonmouth workers.
“Instead of favouring one group, it needs to stop prioritising greed and extend benefits to other workers. Our members have their full support in their fight for a fair deal.”
Hovis said pay negotiations for some of its employees at Avonmouth had commenced in April and since then it had discussed several solutions with union representatives.
A Hovis Bakeries spokesperson said: “We’re disappointed that some of the team are now planning on taking industrial action, especially given the well-publicised economic challenges facing the UK bakery sector, as well as the important work that is underway to bring together Allied Bakeries with its recently acquired Hovis business.
“We believe the offer on the table is fair and responsible, amounting to a 3% salary increase for the year. We remain focused on reaching an agreement that works for everyone and negotiations continue with our employees and their union representatives.”
The spokesperson added: “Plans are in place to minimise any impact on our retail customers, and we don’t anticipate there being any significant or lasting shortages as a result of the action.”
Unite regional officer John Sweeney said: “We know shoppers will be concerned to hear of bread shortages, but it is entirely the fault of Hovis who has come up with this half-baked pay offer.
“Our members believe the only action that will ensure the business gets back around the table and has meaningful dialogue is strike action. Hovis can prevent this disruption but that relies on it coming back to talks, with a meaningful offer.”
