Unite files ethical trading complaint against Bakkavor as dispute escalates

Unite has made a formal complaint on behalf of its members to the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) which ensures compliance with international labour standards in the global supply chains of member companies.

Major high street supermarkets are signed up members of the ETI and will now be aware that Bakkavor is paying poverty wages to its workforce.

Unite members at the food manufacturer have been on strike since the early autumn to secure better rates of pay.

Hundreds of members working for Bakkavor Foods in Spalding, Lincolnshire, are taking industrial action after years of real terms pay cuts.

Bakkavor’s management has refused to engage in meaningful negotiations. Instead, they have brought in strike-breakers from other sites.

In response, Unite has complained to the ETI which means that it will have alerted all its members to Bakkavor’s appalling behaviour.

Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite said: “Bakkavor’s utter unwillingness to negotiate and to attempt to break a lawful strike has left Unite with no choice.

“Not only are we telling their customers about their unethical behaviour, but we will target companies that continue to do business with them.