Cake factory workers demand just desserts

CAKE factory workers went on strike yesterday in protest at “shoddy” treatment by their employers, which have left them up to £40 a week worse off.

By The Newsroom

Published 31st Jan 2013, 06:00 BST

About 200 workers at Greencore, which makes cakes for Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s, were protesting against the company’s failure to restore cuts in terms and conditions made in October 2011.

The Unite union won an employment tribunal last year over claims of unlawfully deducted wages, but say the company is trying to “dodge” the ruling by issuing new contracts to the workforce, most of whom are on the minimum wage.

National officer Jennie Formby said: “Their group is making massive profits, £70m in the last financial year. Some of the management have had pay rises of up to 11 per cent, at the same time members have had terms and conditions permanently changed.”

Greencore said: “As well as continual dialogue with the workforce, Greencore is also engaged in a legal process to try and find a resolution which, contrary to some claims, has not reached any conclusion.”