Nestle to enter strike negotiations with Unite
Unite members to vote in strike ballot
Nestle is set to enter strike negotiations with Unite after the
union confirmed it is set to hold a national ballot on industrial
action.
Unite members at factories throughout the UK will vote on
whether to strike over pay conditions.
A Nestle spokesman claimed the firm was disappointed national
action was planned as it always negotiates salaries with individual
factories.
"We are currently engaged in local negotiations at almost all
our sites, which are all progressing," the spokesman said. "Nestle
has never undertaken national negotiations."
Nestle have offered a one per cent pay increase, in addition to
a 1.5 per cent bonus, although Union leaders confirmed they would
not be recommending the deal.
Unite disapproved of proposals to introduce performance-related
bonuses, which only apply for one year, rather than significant
general pay increases.
The body claim Nestle can afford to increase wages, citing the
firm's recent financial report which shows a 12.1 per cent increase
in gross profit and 38 per cent increase in operating profits.