Premier Foods say strike action could lead to job losses as union prepares for 2 day walk out

INDUSTRIAL action at the Premier Foods factory in Wisbech could lead to job losses, the company warned this week.

A 48-hour strike is due to start at 6am tomorrow (Thursday), with workers from all three shifts taking part.

Workers say they are aggrieved that they received no pay award last year, although managers had a pay rise.

This week's stoppage comes hot on the heels of a 24-hour strike at the end of last week.

"We have continued to have good support from our members," said Unite union convener Mark Plumb.

"Our membership has held up, considering the pressure applied to them from the company.

"There has been some talk that this action could cause a situation at Wisbech, where if they are not in a position to regain volumes of work, it could lead to redundancies."

Mr Plumb said the company had managed only 25 per cent production during strike action. "We have been extremely well supported," he added.

"The company has created this situation, by making a two tier system, by giving managers a pay rise, and not the workers.

"The company has not been keen to sit down and reach a negotiated settlement; there has been no meaningful discussion since January 4."

A company spokesman said: "We are really disappointed at the position being adopted by the Unite union. This is inconsistent with their recommendation to accept our latest offer and ignores the fact that many other employees, including Unite members working at other sites, have not received any pay increase.

"This action undermines the progress made in negotiations and puts jobs at risk. We have advised Unite that our offer will not be improved.

"Privately, many employees have told us that they are unhappy about the continued action being taken by the Unite union"

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