Striking food workers march through Spalding

Hundreds of striking workers from the Bakkavor food production factory in Spalding, Lincolnshire, marched to the town centre today (Tuesday 22) as the dispute continues.

Unite members, who have been on strike for three weeks in their fight for fair pay, congregated in Spalding. They were joined by family members and other supporters before marching through the town to drum up support from their local community.  

This support was forthcoming as many applauded the workers as they marched past.

Earlier in the month Unite general secretary Sharon Graham visited the Bakkavor picket line to give workers a morale boost in their dispute, and show them that Unite was fully behind their struggle. She was greeted by hundreds of workers outside the factory making their voices heard in their ongoing dispute.

Sharon Graham said: “Bakkavor continues with its tone-deaf approach to this dispute. A company that makes huge profits from workers in their community yet refuses to pay them a fair wage,

“If the company thinks our members will go quietly and give in, they have another thing coming. Bakkavor will be facing the full force of Unite.”

The workforce earn just above the minimum wage to produce meals, soups, dips, salads, desserts, pizzas and breads for the company’s customers including Tesco, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose. 

The Bakkavor strikes are affecting supermarkets with empty shelves being reported as production lines can no longer cope with orders. As the strike continues, the situation will continue to get worse for the big supermarkets and high street stores.

The workers, who are required to operate for long shifts in cold temperatures, have previously rejected a pay offer of six per cent.

Bakkavor is highly profitable having recently reported a half year operating profit of £55 million for the first half of 2024.

Unite regional officer Sam Hennessey added: “Our members will be making their voices heard and showing how angry they are at Bakkavor’s paltry pay offer. 

“The company is not willing to give workers the raise they deserve and a lot of families and great people are being affected.

“We have received a lot of positive support from the public, and many people have given us donations of food and money for the cause.

During the march Bakkavor workers spoke to Lincs Online. One Bakkavor worker, who wished to be anonymous, said: “I don’t want to lose my job, I just want more money – fair money.

“A lot of our work is hard labour and people can just die with the click of a finger because of all the heavy machinery – I think we deserve it if we are doing that kind of work.

A colleague added: “We just want the company to help us and we will get our fair pay rise because we deserve it.

“I don’t feel supported by Bakkavor. I have worked here for 13 years and have given them a lot of my time.”

By Keith Hatch