Strike action continues at sweet factory as pay talks break down
WORKERS at Tangerine’s York confectionary factory went on strike for the second time yesterday after talks with management broke down.
Union members at the factory belonging to Tangerine, which makes Mint Humbugs, Sherbert Fountains, Butterkist Popcorn and Princess Marshmallows, went on strike for the first time last week.
They are striking over a 1% pay increase which the union said 86% of its members had rejected. It said the company had maintained their position that any further increase would have to be self-funded – “eating away” at workers’ terms and conditions.
GMB counter proposed a 15 month and 18 month deal in the hope to resolve the dispute, however these were rejected by the company.
Ben Kirkham GMB organiser said: “This is a deeply frustrating situation. Workers have made it very clear to the employer that they are not happy with the erosion of their terms and conditions especially as there has been a 36% increase in production capacity, which has not been reciprocated by the company in annual pay talks this year.
“No one wants a strike but the previous action on Tuesday I believe, shows the level of our members’ anger at the company’s unwillingness to listen to them. This hasn’t been helped by the company’s sedate approach to resolving the dispute. It’s disappointing and has a sour taste in workers’ mouths. They remain resolute and will not go cap in hand.S spokesperson for Tangerine said: “We are disappointed by this decision because we feel our enhanced pay and break time offer is a positive step forward for the long-term future of this historic factory.
“It’s surprising that some York employees have taken this step, particularly when we have invested more than £8m at the site during a period of intense competition within the UK confectionery market.
“Our door remains open to the GMB to resolve this amicably but, in the meantime, the factory remains operational and we’d like to thank the many staff who turned up to work, ensuring we continue to supply our customers and the public with their favourite sweets as normal.”
