Riverside Bakery pay win

Strike action at Nottingham’s Riverside Bakery has been cancelled after Unite negotiated a pay deal worth nearly seven per cent for around 170 workers.

The workers were due to commence continuous all-out strike action, but the dispute ended after they voted by more than 90 per cent to accept the new offer.

A strike would have hit production of quiches, flans and savoury tarts for sale by major retailers including Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Aldi and Marks and Spencer.

The 12-month pay deal also protects premium rates for weekends, bank holidays and overtime, with workers receiving backpay for all hours worked since October 1, 2021.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “This is a great win for the workers at Riverside Bakery. Faced with rising living costs they stood together in their union and got a much better pay deal.

“This is yet another example of why Unite’s focus on jobs, pay and conditions is so important for our members.”

Following the resolution of the dispute, the company’s supply chain director has agreed to hold quarterly question and answer sessions with Unite members and to meet monthly with the union’s workplace reps.

Unite regional secretary Paresh Patel added, “Our members at Riverside Bakery should be commended for their determination to stand firm. They have achieved a decent pay deal and are happy their employer is listening to them.

“As this case shows, being a Unite member brings real benefits for workers looking to better their wages and employment conditions.”

By Ryan Fletcher