Staff at Park Cakes have voted in favour of strike action, following a dispute over a new contract for workers starting in September.
Last month, the Bakers Food and Workers Union (BFAWU) claimed that Park Cake Bakeries was attempting to bypass new legislation covering agency workers. It also claimed that the firm was planning on introducing new contracts without consultation and without agreement.
Park Cakes said it had consulted with the unions on the introduction of new contracts for new employees, but the union and company could not reach an agreement. Park Cakes staff were then balloted over strike action from 3-14 October.
A spokesperson for Park Cakes said “The dispute was on the basis of a new contract, introduced in September, which enabled approximately 45 people to be recruited to the business on a new contract. Employees who were recruited prior to September have had their contracts unaltered.”
According to the spokesperson, less than 50% of those entitled to vote did so, and “regrettably the minority who did vote secured a mandate for strike action”. He said the union now had to decide whether to take action on the basis of the minority vote.
Roy Streeter, regional officer for the BFAWU, said a meeting would take place with members on 29 October to decide what action would be taken.
Located at sites in Oldham and Bolton, Park Cakes is a major manufacturer of premium cakes and desserts including Marks & Spencer.
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