The Unite union has suggested that strikes by workers employed by Amcor Packaging in Workington will cause shortages of Walkers crisps and Kellogg’s cereal packets.
Around 100 workers are set to strike over Amcor’s 6% pay offer, which Unite claims is a real-terms pay cut given that RPI stood at 9.1% when the pay rise was due to be implemented in October last year. It noted that the pay rise for 2022 was also below the level of inflation at the time.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Amcor cannot expect its workers to swallow a real terms pay cut for the second year in a row. It can fully afford to put forward a fair pay offer. Unite does not tolerate attacks on our members’ jobs, pay or conditions and the Amcor Workington workforce have their union’s total support.”
Amcor Packaging specialises in flexible packaging production, particularly for the food industry. The workers perform a number of roles at the factory, including printing, extrusion and lamination, and the strikes are expected to cause disruption to Amcor’s operations.
The 24-hour strikes will take place on 29 May, 1 June, 3 June, 5 June and 9 June. Further industrial action will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved.
Unite regional officer Ryan Armstrong commented: “Kellogg’s and Walkers will not be happy they are facing packaging delays that could result in shortages for consumers. This is entirely the fault of Amcor for refusing to put forward a fair deal. Strike action can still be avoided but that requires an offer being made that our members can accept.”
