Amid disputes at several food and drinks manufacturers across the UK, it has been revealed that unions have secured a two-year pay deal worth up to 17.5% for more than 1,000 Cadbury workers.
Unite stated that the deal, which also includes a 25% rise in holiday pay, sets the standard for food manufacturing at a time of surging inflation and a cost of living crisis.
Unite’s members at Cadbury’s sites in Bournville, Birmingham, Chirk, Wales and Marlebrook in Hereford recorded an 80% vote in favour of the deal.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Where employers can clearly afford to raise pay, we are determined to ensure that they do. Yet again Unite’s focus on improving jobs, pay and conditions is getting results for our members.
“This deal was delivered by the hard work and dedication of Unite’s representatives at Cadbury and the support of Unite members.”
Unite national officer for food and drink, Joe Clarke, added: “Unite negotiated this deal over three months with Cadbury and it sets the standard for the rest of the food manufacturing sector, which is performing very strongly.
“Unite will be negotiating with other food manufacturing companies in the coming months, and we will be bargaining for our members in those workplaces to also receive rises that take into consideration the rising cost of living and high profits of their employers.”
Several major manufacturers operating in the UK, including Coca-Cola and the Budweiser Brewing Group, are currently facing potential strike action over pay disputes.
