Shoppers could face a shortage of ready meals and pizzas in supermarkets due to a factory row over pay
SHOPPERS could face a shortage of teatime essentials like ready meals in supermarket due to a factory row over pay.
More than 700 workers are set to take “continuous strike action” at the Bakkavor manufacturing firm in Spalding, Lincolnshire this month.
The Bakkavor Group makes and prepares meals, soups, dips, salads, desserts, pizzas and breads for supermarkets such as Tesco, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose.
Unite the Union confirmed the strikes would “inevitably cause disruption and shortages to supermarkets across the UK”.
This means shoppers could soon notice some of their favourite ready-made dishes missing from supermarket shelves.
The strikes will take place from September 27.
It comes after staff declined a pay increase offer of 7.8% for the lowest-paid workers, and 6.4% across all other grades.
Worker said they felt that their “hard work” in “incredibly tough working conditions” was not being recognised.
Unite the Union told The BBC that workers spend “long shifts working in near-freezing temperatures, doing repetitive and demanding work”.
However, Sadie Woodhouse, general manager at Bakkavor, said the strike made “no sense” as its wages were “well above inflation and National Living Wage”.
The National Living Wage in the UK is £11.44 an hour.
This is lower than the so-called voluntary real living wage, which is calculated based on the cost of living and is currently £12 around the UK and £13.15 in London.
But, it’s important to note that not all supermarkets may be affected by the strike and some shoppers may notice no changes at all.
Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, told The Sun most retailers shouldn’t face issues.
“Retailers are not anticipating any problems with availability and customers will still be able to purchase the goods they want as normal,” he said.
It is understood that the strikes will not impact M&S as it has a contingency plan in place.
The Sun has also approached Tesco and Waitrose for comment and will update readers once we hear back.
Bakkavor has 20 other sites across the UK which are still in effect.
It has also stated that it already has contingency plans in place to minimise disruption.
Bakkavor bosses have not yet hinted towards an increased pay deal and are holding steadfast to their original offer as the strike date nears.
How to save on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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