Hovis workers' strike could disrupt bread deliveries

Bread deliveries are set to be disrupted as Hovis lorry drivers plan to strike over a pay dispute.

About 60 Unite the Union members based at the depot in Avonmouth near Bristol are due to indefinitely strike from 24 September after staff were offered a 3% pay rise.

Representatives at Unite the Union said the offer is a pay cut as inflation sits at 3.4% and shops across the West of England are likely to see a reduction in Hovis products.

A spokesperson for Hovis Bakeries said the offer on the table was "fair and responsible", adding that they do not anticipate any "significant or lasting shortages" in supply.

"Plans are in place to minimise any impact on our retail customers," they added.

Unite regional officer John Sweeney said while shoppers will be concerned about the shortages, the strike action is "the fault of Hovis who came up with the half-baked offer".

Unite also said workers at the company's Belfast depot were also offered additional benefits on top of what Bristol staff were offered, including a commission of 2p per product for all items sold.

Staff in Belfast were offered a holiday premium rate of an additional 50% of the contracted basic hourly rate for anyone who worked over five bank holidays.

The Hovis spokesperson said pay negotiations for some of their employees at Avonmouth started back in April and they were "disappointed" at the decision for industrial action.

Hovis said "important work" was also underway to merge the company with another UK bread maker, Allied Bakeries.

Sharon Graham, Unite's general secretary said Hovis could afford to pay Avonmouth workers the same as those in Belfast as it was owned by an "incredibly profitable company".

"Instead of favouring one group, it needs to stop prioritising greed and extend benefits to other workers," she said.

Sweeney said Hovis could prevent the dispute but it was relying on the company to bring forward "a meaningful offer" while Hovis said it remained "focused on reaching an agreement that works for everyone".

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.