500 in bakery strike threat

Park Cake Bakery: strike ballot

FIVE hundred workers at Park Cake bakery are to be balloted on strike action in a dispute over a new contract.

Union representatives claim the Ashton Road, factory has brought in a new contract to get round Government laws being brought in to protect agency workers creating a two-tier pay system.

They will begin balloting members on October 3 about whether they want to take industrial action.

Once papers are returned by October 14, strike action could happen seven days later.

On October 1, the Government is introducing the new Agency Labour legislation.

This means agency staff working for a company for 12-weeks will then be entitled to the same rates of pay as permanent employees for any further work.

However, members of the Bakers, Food And Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) at the bakery claim Park Cake has employed 30 permanent staff on minimum wage contracts so, once October 1 passes, it can ensure agency staff only claim minimum wage and do not benefit from the pay hike.

The union also claims that the new contract is a “zero hour” contract which means staff do not have a set number of work hours.

And it claims the new arrangements will lead to the end of traditional rates of overtime pay, as well as sick pay, and both redundancy and pension rights.

The union is planning a leaflet campaign targeting customers at local supermarkets highlighting the issue.

MP John McDonnell, who is the chairman of the BFAWU’s Parliamentary Group, is leading an Early Day Motion in relation to the dispute.

Roy Streeter, regional officer for the BFAWU, said around 500 members in Oldham and another 200 in Bolton were being balloted. He said the company had introduced the contract without union agreement.

He added: “This will create a two-tier system.

“This is about equal pay, how can we have two people in the same job with different entitlements?

“We have no option but to consult on strike action.”

A Park Cake spokesman said: “Park Cake Bakeries has not recruited any temporary staff.

“There are 33 new permanent positions, some of which are on a new part-time shift and some are on full-time 39-hour contracts, which is normal full time shift hours for our employees.

“A new contract has been introduced for future employees. Existing staff contracts are unaffected. The new contract is on statutory or higher wages depending on skills and experience.

“The company consulted with the unions on the introduction of new contracts for new employees, but the union and company could not meet an agreement on the recruitment of new employees.

“Over 350 applicants applied for the 33 new positions showing that Park Cakes clearly continues to be an employer of choice in the local community.”