‘Sweet’ result in pay deal

A wage dispute between domestic sugar producer British Sugar and its workers at factories across east England has ended after staff accepted a ‘sweet pay deal’, Unite said today (August 10).

A strike ballot of 500 technicians, engineers and supply chain operatives at British Sugar’s Newark, Wissington, Cantley and Bury St Edmunds factories has now been cancelled.

The workers voted to accept an improved offer of a 3.5 per cent pay rise, following the rejection of a 2 per cent offer made by the company previously.

“This sweet pay deal was achieved because our members stood firm in demanding a rise that reflected their hard work and dedication to British Sugar,” commented Unite regional officer Mark Plumb.

“It is a prime example of what can be achieved through strong union organisation, which is why we urge workers looking to improve their pay and terms and conditions to join Unite and to get their colleagues to do the same.

“Unite looks forward to working productively with British Sugar in the future for the best interests of our members, as the company continues to go from strength to strength,” he added.

By Ryan Fletcher