The UK is at risk of a shortage of Coca-Cola in the summer after union bosses threaten to shut down factories in “abnormal” wage transactions.
Workers at Wakefield, Europe’s largest soft drink factory, will strike this summer, which could wipe out half of Britain’s Coca-Cola supply.
The bottling plant produces more than 100 million cases of Coca-Cola annually. This represents about 50% of the UK soft drink supply. Workers such as microbiologists, gatehouse agents, and operational planners vote on whether to strike.
This was after unanimously rejecting a 21-month payment offer from Coca-Cola EuroPacific Partners, an increase of 3.25 percent in the first 12 months and a decrease of 1.75 percent in the next 9 months. did. The union boss said this meant a 6.7% reduction in real wages. They claimed that the CCEP boss threatened to further reduce their wage offers and change their “working style” in the event of a strike.
“This scandalous behavior is desecrating one of the world’s largest brands. This Coca-Cola bottling factory bullies, threatens and monetizes its members,” said Unite Labor Union General Secretary Sharon Graham. I’m trying to reduce my wages while handing them over. “
Chris Rawlinson of Unite said: If management continues to intimidate and refuse to pay wages, Unite will vote for members for a strike. Our membership continues to grow and the workforce is ready for action. “
CCEP has made a profit of £ 1.6 billion in the last fiscal year. It employs 33,200 people in 29 countries and also manufactures other soft drinks such as Fanta and Sprite.
A CCEP spokesman said the company was “disappointed” with the situation and continued to talk with representatives to reach an agreement with the workers. A spokesman added that CCEP “is confident that our trading customers will not be confused.”
The latest threat broke out in a wave of industrial activity across Britain, which was stagnant last week by the biggest rail strike in 30 years.
This week, London tramlink drivers lined up beyond wages, but airport workers announced their own plans for a strike next summer.