Strike action set to fizz at Coca Cola’s North London plant
31 August 2010
Employees at Coca Cola’s Edmonton plant in north London have
voted overwhelmingly to take strike action in a bid to obtain a pay
rise that reflects of the true cost of living in one of the world’s
most expensive cities.
Members of Unite, the country’s largest union, voted by a
massive eight to one to reject the company’s two percent pay
offer.
Unite’s regional officer, Wayne King said: "With inflation
touching five per cent, the offer by this highly profitable global
company is unrealistic and, given the massive profits of this
corporate, frankly insulting. Two percent neither reflects the true
cost of living, nor the hard work of our members.
"Coca-Cola is in no way suffering during the recession yet it
wants to force its workers, in one of the world's most expensive
cities, to accept a poverty pay deal. Further, the company
has failed to meaningfully negotiate throughout the pay
process. Small wonder then that the overwhelming majority of
our members have voted for industrial action. Unless Coca-Cola
responds with an improved offer, then a strike seems
inevitable."
Unite represents more than 110 members of the 150-strong
workforce at the Nobel Road plant. Members voted 81 per cent in
favour of strike action and 92 per cent in favour of action short
of a strike.
Coca Cola produces about two million bottles every 24 hours at
the Edmonton site and nationally employs more than 4,000
people.
ENDS
Notes to news editors:
For further information, please contact Wayne King on 07980 721
407 or Unite Head of Media Pauline Doyle on 07976 832 861
and/or Shaun Noble, Unite communications officer, on 07768 693
940
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