Workers at Jacob's Bakery said they "don't feel valued by the company" as strike action enters its fourth week.
More than one hundred workers gathered outside the gates of the factory in Aintree for the fourteen time in the last month. The workers have been carrying out a series of 12 hour stoppages at the site in a fight for a "fairer pay deal".
Staff at the factory made the decision to take strike action against Pladis, who own Jacob's, after members "voted overwhelmingly in favour of both strike action and action short of a strike". The action short of a full strike started on September 26 in a form of an overtime ban and a ban on training colleagues on the transfer of skills.
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The workers walked out on September 26 after talks broke down about an increased pay offer and improved working conditions. The ECHO understands the GMB Union, who represent Jacob's workers, put forward an 8.5 percent pay rise proposal which was "refused".
A spokesperson for Pladis UK&I previously told the ECHO : "I can confirm that we have been informed by the GMB that some of its members at our factory in Aintree are intending to take strike action. We are continuing to proactively engage with our employees and their representatives to seek a resolution."
Today more than one hundred workers gathered again outside the gates. GMB Union banners and flags were displayed by union members along the road. One banner tied to the gates read: "Give us back our pay. Give us a pay rise. Not your crumbs. Leave our T&Cs alone."
Lisa Ryan, a regional organiser for GMB, today told the ECHO they have seen around 660 workers strike over the past month, depending on shift patterns. Ms Ryan said: "It's amazing what the workers have done. They voted on it and it's what they wanted to do.
"We have had one meeting with the company but it was a cosmetic exercise. There was no offer to come back to the members with. It doesn't come as a surprise. The workers at the Aintree site aren't valued by the company."
The Jacob's factory on Long Lane produces millions of cream crackers each year - with more than half a billion individual crackers sold each year. The site has been operating in Aintree for more than 100 years and it was the first Jacob's factory to be built in England.
Ms Ryan added the strikers have been well supported by members of the public since they started the strike action. She told the ECHO : "Covid has made people look at what is important and how valued they should be so the strike has been really well supported.
"People drive past and honk their horns or come and chat with the workers and drop off drinks. The solidarity has been really good. We are very proud of the members. We admire them for being so strong."
A Pladis UK&I spokesperson today told the ECHO: “We are in regular dialogue with Union members and our employees. In addition, we have met with GMB officials both onsite at Aintree and at our offices in London. We remain committed to constructive engagement to reach a resolution.”
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