Workers at drinks factory call off strike action

Workers at a drinks factory in the Forest of Dean have ended a strike over pay.

The 180 staff at the Ribena and Lucozade factory have called off strike action after agreeing a pay deal.

Members of the union Unite had taken action against employer Suntory Beverage & Food in Coleford.

Unite said the action was ended after workers secured a 5.5% pay rise – and would receive a back payment effective from April 2023.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The unity of our members was critical. Once Suntory saw that members were not prepared to budge it returned to the bargaining table with an improved offer.

“This result again demonstrates how Unite is actively delivering improvements to the jobs, pay and conditions of our members.”

Suntory’s Karl Ottomar said the deal was a “generous offer” to the company’s staff and “cements our position as a top employer in the region”.