Strike called off with a new offer

A last-minute deal has been reached ahead of planned strike action at a major employer in Spalding.

Around 700 members of staff at Bakkavor were due to down tools from the end of this week for more than a month.
Negotiations between the company and union Unite had broken down, and a strike ballot saw backing for the industrial action.
Strike action had been planned for earlier this month, but was postponed while further discussions with the company and the union were held.
It was announced late on Monday that an agreement had been reached and the strike was lifted.
Unite had been pushing for a ten per cent wage rise but said the majority of its members said 7.5 per cent would be acceptable – pending another ballot. A six per cent rise for next year was included in the deal.
In October the company said a final offer of 6.5 per cent was all it could make. It also agreed to a six per cent pay rise next year.
A joint statement from the union and Bakkavor said a 7.5 per cent increase has been agreed on all rates of pay.
“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their continued patience throughout this year’s negotiations,” said Bakkavor’s general manager of meals Martin Husselbee and Adam Antoniades, senior shop steward at Unite.
Workers had been preparing to stop work from Friday and stay out until January 2, a crucial time for the company in terms of fulfilling orders over the busy Christmas period.
The new agreement also includes details of back pay and the temporary suspension of new-starter contracts for six months to enable discussion over specific elements of them.
A Unite statement said the agreement was a ‘massive statement’ and approval was recommended.