Ahead of the festive season Ferrero Rocher workers have voted to strike over failed talks and there could be a shortage of the much loved chocolate.
More than a dozen staff at Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate are set to walk out in a dispute over pay.
Workers rejected a real terms pay cut at the confectionery giant’s site in Worksop, Nottinghamshire.
Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate is one of the UK’s largest supplier of coco products to the confectionary industry, including to the manufacturers of Ferrero Rocher.
100 per cent of workers balloted voted to back strike action, with dates for the walk outs to be announced in the coming days.
GMB said, “Workers rejected a real terms pay cut at the confectionery giant’s site in Worksop, Nottinghamshire.” It added: “100% of workers balloted, voted to back strike action, with dates for the walkouts to be announced in the coming days.”
GMB organiser Cameron Mitchell added, “The spectre of Christmas without this beloved Yuletide treat would be devastating. That’s exactly what’s on the cards if company bosses don’t act urgently to avoid strike action.
“Workers aren’t demanding gold-wrapped payouts – instead they’re asking for a pay packet that covers the bills. We urge company top brass to urgently get back around the table with a fair offer for our members.”
Cargill does not anticipate a chocolate shortage or adverse supply chain impact over the Christmas season.
Cargill’s said in a statement, “The GMB union at our Worksop facility in Nottinghamshire has taken a vote to confirm their intent to strike. At this time, however, employees are not on strike–operations continue as usual and employees are on the job.
“Cargill has contingency plans in place to continue providing chocolate to our customers if a strike does occur. We do not currently have, nor do we anticipate, a chocolate shortage or adverse supply chain impact to any of our customers.
” Regarding pay negotiations, we can confirm Cargill has made a market competitive offer of a 5.5% increase, as well as an £1,400 one-time bonus payment, as we greatly value our employees and the work they do.
“Twelve of our 34 employees at Worksop belong to the GMB union and we hope we can come to a collaborative agreement.”
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