Strike Threatens Christmas Turkey Supply

09/11/2007

A pay dispute between workers and bosses at Bernard Matthew’s turkey factories is to result in strike action, the union Unite has announced. Union members working at sites in Holton, Suffolk; Great Witchingham, Norfolk; and Dunstable, Bedfordshire, are to go on strike for 24 hours next Thursday, which could have a knock-on effect on turkey supplies over the Christmas party season.

Bernard Matthews said its offer of a 2% pay increase had been generous considering the business had not had a good year. A spokesperson said: "Bernard Matthews has made a very strong pay offer in light of its current business position to the union, the T&G section of Unite … The consequence of lost business is potential job losses, which is not what anyone wants."

Unite said the strike could jeopardise turkey supplies to supermarkets over the Christmas party season. Regional Officer Mike Hubbard said: "The workforce has held this company together through a most challenging year, so have been particularly angered by management's imposition of what is effectively a pay cut.”
He added: “They [the workforce] came under a good degree of pressure from management not to vote for strike action, so we urge Bernard Matthews to return to us with an improved pay offer which they have thus far refused to do."