Princes staff reject pay deal, ballot for strike action

Unite the union’s members at Princes food production factories across the country are balloting for industrial action over pay.

The union warned that strike action could disrupt the supply of popular household staples at supermarkets like Sainsbury, Tesco, Waitrose M&S, Asda, Lidl and Aldi.

More than 800 workers at five sites – Long Sutton, Wisbech, Cardiff, Bradford and Glasgow – are being balloted after rejecting a pay deal from the company’s new owners.

The union argued that the pay deal in question would leave them worse off than the offer promised by the previous owners.

Princes produces tinned meats, fish, vegetables, sauces, soups and soft drinks for brands including Branston, Crosse & Blackwell, Napolina and Batchelors.

Unite’s members who work as line operatives and engineers were offered a 4% to 7% pay rise dependent on salary by the previous owner, Mitsubishi.

The company was subsequently bought by Newlat S.p.A, which withdrew that offer, instead offering a 3% pay rise. 

Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “Princes needs to get back round the negotiating table before its customers discover they won’t have any products in their shopping baskets.