Strike: It's the real thing!
15 September 2010
Four million fewer bottles of Coca Cola could be produced this
month as a series of stoppages lasting to the end of September
begins today (15 September 2010) in a dispute over pay.
The workers at Coca-Cola Enterprises' Edmonton bottling plant
warn that the dispute could escalate unless the company gets real.
The workers are angry over the company's refusal to enter into
meaningful negotiations over a two year pay offer. Workers are
being offered 2% in 2010 and are likely to only receive around 2%
in 2011.
Unite members at the plant voted by a massive eight to one to
reject the company's two percent pay offer.
The action will be discontinuous strike action with members who
work the day shifts commencing 06.00 hours finishing work at 15.00
hours instead of 18.00 hours. Members who work the night shift will
commence work at 21.00 hours instead of 18.00 hours and finish at
06.00 hours the following day. There will be no production at the
site between the hours of 15.00 and 21.00.
Unite members will be on the picket line from 15.00 until 21.00
today (15 September) with flags and placards. Coca Cola produces
about two million bottles every 24 hours at Edmonton and nationally
employs more than 4,000 people.
Unite's national officer Jennie Formby said: "Frustrated workers
are turning off the taps at this Coca Cola bottling plant. They
deserve a pay deal that reflects the true cost of living. With
pre-tax profits up by 12% to £617.9million in 2009 and projections
of better than expected results this year, the company can easily
afford a fairer deal."
"We are very concerned by the lack of commitment from Coca Cola
Enterprises to reaching a deal on this issue and the refusal to
consider a compromise at ACAS last week, instead choosing to
reissue the previous proposal. Unless the company engages more
positively with Unite, workers will become even more frustrated and
we could well see an escalation of this dispute."
Strike dates are as follows
Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th September 2010
Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd September 2010
Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th September 2010
Wayne King, Unite regional official will be available for
interview at the site on Nobel Road, Edmonton from 14.30 .
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315
