Christmas strike action may take the biscuit
Engineers at the Fox’s factory in Batley have planned eight days of strike action that threaten to disrupt the supply of biscuits this Christmas.
The 36 engineers, who are members of Unite, have rejected an offer of a 5% pay rise that would also see their notice periods increase from one week to three months.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members undertake a highly skilled role ensuring Fox’s production lines run smoothly and they are simply not going to accept a substantial real terms pay cut.
“This is a hugely wealthy company and settling our members’ pay claim would be an absolute drop in the ocean for it. This is a classic example of a company that can pay but is choosing not to.”
Strikes are planned for four days from November 6 then a further four days starting on November 14.
Unite said any production delays would affect the supply of Fox’s products to its principal customers M&S, Morrisons, Aldi, Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s.
Fox’s Biscuits is part of Ferrero Group. Its 2021 accounts for its UK business showed revenues were up 10% to £450m and profits rose nearly 60% to £11m.
Unite has said the total pay increase the engineers are seeking would cost £140,000. In 2021 the earnings of the highest-paid director increased by £239,000 to £1.03m.
