Cadbury workers land sweet deal for 17.5% pay rise

Workers at chocolate giant Cadbury have secured a pay rise of more than 17% over the next two years.

More than 1,000 employees will benefit from the rise, as well as a 25% pay rise in holiday pay, Unite said.

Up to 80% of workers at Bournville in Birmingham, Chirk in Wales and Marlebrook in Hereford voted 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, said: “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.”