Supermarkets across the UK will face shortages of Pork Farms products during a continuous all-out pay strike by more than 170 workers employed at Nottingham’s Riverside Bakery. 

Staff earning just above the minimum wage, who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, will go on strike from 30 March over a pay cut disguised as a rise. The offer would leave staff worse off by reducing overtime, bank holiday and premium rates.

Riverside Bakery produces quiches, flans and savoury tarts sold by major retailers including Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Aldi and Marks and Spencer.  

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite is here to defend our members’ jobs, pay and conditions. Riverside Bakery’s pay cut in disguise is a direct attack on the living standards of their workforce.

“The workers’ all-out strike action will bring operations at the bakery to a halt. They will receive Unite’s full backing for as a long as it takes for the company to see sense and table a proper pay offer.” 

Riverside Bakery is part of the Addo Food Group, which was bought by private equity firm PAI Partners in 2020. PAI is planning to merge Addo with another chilled food company it owns, Winterbotham Darby, to create a new company, The Compleat Food Group.  

Unite Regional Officer Cheryl Pidgeon said: “Strike action and the resultant shortages of Pork Farms products in stores nationwide can still be avoided during negotiations scheduled for this week. 

“For that to happen, however, the company needs to put forward an offer our members, who are struggling under the cost-of-living crisis, can accept.” 

ENDS 

Pay cut disguised as rise at Nottingham’s Riverside Bakery prompts strike ballot

For media enquires ONLY contact Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215.

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Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.