Pay rise agreed for 2 Sisters staff

Around 1,500 workers at food giant 2 Sisters are to receive a pay rise following negotiations with union Unite.

The deal covers the 2 Sisters’ principal poultry sites in West Bromwich and Wolverhampton.

Unite and 2 Sisters’ management hammered out a 9.3% two year pay deal, which includes a 4.6% increase backdated to April 2018 with a further 4.7% increase to come into effect in April 2019.

The union said the deal preserves all the existing terms, conditions and working patterns for the current morning and afternoon shifts and will also see the recruitment of 250 staff on a covering shift, enabling 2 Sisters to undertake seven day working.

It follows the news in the summer that 2 Sisters had reversed a decision to shut its Wolverhampton factory with plans to “develop a new customer base” for the site.

Around 150 jobs were saved, which were put under threat after 2 Sisters reviewed its poultry manufacturing operations earlier this year.

Unite food drink and agriculture officer Joe Clarke said: “This is an excellent deal for our members it provides a pay increase well above inflation while maintaining terms and conditions.

“Since the crisis in Two Sisters last year we have been in extensive discussions to ensure the viability of the company’s sites in the Midlands.

“This deal maintains our members existing Monday to Friday working arrangements and preserves their work life balance. The deal also creates new jobs with the introduction of a new shift pattern over four days to give the company a seven day operation.”

Unite regional officer Andy Hall said: “The negotiations have been long and arduous but they demonstrate that Unite and Two Sisters can work together. It is paramount that this agreement is developed and there is a better industrial relationship in the future.

“The deal gives stability to our members and ensures that their work life balance has not been affected.”