Strike outside Spalding’s Bakkavor factory has now ended

Strike action outside a town factory has now ended after workers agreed to an ‘improved’ pay offer.

Members of Unite the Union had been forming a picket line outside the Bakkavor factory in Spalding’s West Marsh Road since September in a fight for better pay.

Unite regional officer Sam Hennessey said: "Following an improved offer from Bakkavor, our members were balloted and voted to accept the offer and return to work after a lengthy period of industrial action.

"Unite will continue to campaign for improved terms and conditions for all workers across the food and drink manufacturing sector where low pay causes financial hardship for thousands across Lincolnshire."

Bakkavor workers first walked out of the factory, which makes products for Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury’s and Coop, on September 27.

Workers have taken the fight to Iceland where they displayed messages on the buildings of a major shareholder.

The union had also said that shoppers were feeling the impact of the strike - with a reported national shortage of the taramasalata in supermarket shelves last month.

Hundreds of workers also took part in a protest march around Spalding in October to raise awareness of the pay dispute.

Police were also called to the West Marsh Road factory in February after receiving reports of striking workers were blocking vehicles entering and leaving the site.

The workers are reported to be returning to work on March 14.

The union has not released details of the new pay offer.

A spokesman for Bakkavor said: “We are pleased that Unite the Union has called an end to its strike action in Spalding with its union’s members now accepting the final offer we put forward to them in October 2024.

“We are delighted that this draws an end to a very difficult time for all colleagues at Spalding. We would like to once again thank our colleagues and customers for their support during this period.”