Workers announce two extra weeks of strikes

A week-long strike begins on Tuesday 5 September followed by two more weeks of action from Monday 18 September.

Eleventh hour talks will get underway today (Monday 4) to avoid a nut shortage across pubs and supermarkets.

The factory in Rotherham is the sole producer of KP Nuts so the walk-out will stop the production of one of Britain’s favourite snacks.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “After weeks of silence, management at KP Snacks have waited until the eleventh hour to begin talks with Unite.

“The workers have made it abundantly clear that they’re sick of being paid peanuts while the company rakes in tens of millions in profit. That’s why the workers are determined to secure a fair pay deal, so they’ve announced two more weeks of strikes.”

The workers have rejected a below inflation eight per cent pay offer while the company’s latest profits stood at £54 million. The company has increased its profits by 275 per cent since 2018. In stark contrast, average pay at KP Snacks has fallen in real terms by 14 per cent since 2018.

Unite regional officer Chris Rawlinson: “KP Snacks can afford to shell out more from its £54 million in profits. A real terms pay cut is just plain wrong when the company is flush with cash.

“A campaign of strike action will hit pubs and supermarkets hard unless management uses today’s talks as an opportunity to finally make its workers a fair pay offer.”

ENDS

Contact: Ciaran Naidoo 07768 931 315