New offer on Warburtons action

Hundreds of workers could walk out of a Black Country bakery unless a pay offer made during crisis talks is accepted to stave off the strike threat.

Union leaders and bosses at Warburtons, Wednesbury, went into talks after staff threatened a two-day strike over pay. If action is taken, bread production at the Moorcroft Drive plant may stop - hitting Christmas deliveries. Warburtons bosses made a new pay offer as a result of talks but will not know if an agreement has been reached until Wednesday.

Union representatives will now vote on whether or not to accept the offer.

The two days of strikes are planned for December 13 and 14.Roy Streeter, of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers’ Union (BFAWU), said that the new offer was better than those made previously by the firm.

However, he said that the outcome of the response to the offer was as yet unknown. Mr Streeter added: “There has been a slight improvement and we are hopeful it will lead to an amiable conclusion.”

BFAWU members were reported to have made an initial pay claim in February when inflation stood above four per cent.

A 3.2 per cent increase on bakers’ hourly wage was rejected in June, as was a second offer of 3.7 per cent in July.

The plant in Wednesbury opened in 2001 and employs around 400 people who work four shifts, seven days a week.

Three years ago the bakery was badly damaged in a fire, but after a £30 million rebuild it was officially reopened by company chairman Jonathan Warburton.

While the bakery lines are completely automated, staff are needed to help slice and pack the loaves. The Wednesbury bakery produces an average of £1.8 million loaves each week.

By Emma Sloper