Workers strike for wage increases at Bakkavör factory in Spalding, England

Workers at the Bakkavör factory in Spalding, England, have been on strike since the end of September, with over one-third of the workforce participating. The union representing these workers is calling for salary increases beyond the legally mandated minimum wage. In a recent statement, Bakkavör claimed to have offered a wage hike exceeding inflation, amounting to just under eight percent for the lowest earners.

Bakkavör operates 20 factories in the UK, as part of a total of 43 facilities employing approximately 18,000 people worldwide. Sam Luczynski, an organizer from Unite the Union, emphasized Bakkavör’s strong financial position, noting that the company has paid substantial dividends to its shareholders over the past two years. Luczynski argued that the workers deserve a fair share of the profits that they have helped generate.

The industrial dispute reflects broader concerns about labor conditions and fair compensation in the food industry, as pressures mount on companies to balance shareholder returns with equitable pay for their employees.