A UNION has claimed production of some of the UK’s favourite biscuits will be halted at an Edinburgh factory as staff plan to stage a series of strikes in a pay dispute.
GMB has accused bosses at Burton’s Biscuit Company in Sighthill of making a “derisory” pay offer, saying it shows management “do not value” the workers leaving them with little option but to strike.
The manufacturer makes well-known biscuit brands including Jammie Dodgers and Wagon Wheels.
GMB members at the plant voted by 91% for industrial action after management refused to increase a 1.6% pay offer for the next year, the union said.
An indefinite work to rule and overtime ban begins from 2pm tomorrow ahead of a series of 24-hour strikes, with the first starting the following morning.
“Burton’s stubborn stance on this year’s pay offer is an insult to staff that have worked throughout the lockdown at management’s insistence,” GMB Scotland organiser Benny Rankin said.
“Burton’s derisory pay offer holds a mirror up to this management – they clearly do not value the contribution of their staff and have no interest in recognising and rewarding them properly.”
A Burton’s Biscuits spokesperson said the company was “shocked” at GMB’s request for a 7% pay rise but was “always open to meaningful discussions on pay”.
They accused the union of not sharing offers about pay and flexible working openly with members and revealed there has been a £1.2 million impact on the bakery during the coronavirus pandemic.
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