MPs back union in bakery dispute

Park Cake staff vote on strike
TWO Oldham MPs have vowed to support union members at Park Cake bakery.

Members of the Bakers, Food And Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) are to be balloted over strike action on October 3 in a dispute over a new contract.

Around 500 union members at the Ashton Road site and another 200 at the Bolton site will be balloted.

Union officials have raised concerns at what they view as a lack of support from two of the borough’s MPs.

But both Michael Meacher, MP for Oldham West and Royton, and Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, have pledged support for the staff.

Mr Meacher said: “I’ve signed two early day motions — one about temperatures in the bakery, and the other about how the new employers of Park Cake are demanding new terms and conditions.

“I strongly and wholly support the unions on this.

“This is clearly an example of a takeover of a company by a new company which is trying to make itself more profitable by taking it out on its employees.

“I find it awful and indescribable to treat people like this, they are diminishing the rights of the employees.

“I’m very willing to help out where I can, whether that means meeting in London or my constituency.”

Mrs Abrahams said: “I met last week with the Bakers Food & Allied Workers Union to discuss Warburtons.

“We also discussed the situation at Park Cake Bakeries and I will be signing the union’s Early Day Motion when I return to London following the Labour Party Conference.”