Drivers who deliver chickens and turkeys to supermarkets are set to go on strike this month.
Around 40 drivers who are members of Unite, the trade union, are taking industrial action after their employer, Culina, did not offer them a pay rise this year.
Culina’s contract is with Avara Foods, Hereford which supplies Tesco and Marks & Spencer with poultry, transporting it from the processing plant to supermarket warehouses. Despite being in pay negotiations since April, no offer has been made to drivers who said they have been left with little choice but to take industrial action.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Culina should be ashamed it is acting as a Scrooge employer. Our members deserve a pay rise this year. Our members will have the full backing of their union in this dispute.”
Drivers will be taking strike action on 19 and 20 December. Unite said more dates could be announced if the company refuses to come back to the negotiating table with an improved offer.
Unite regional officer Jason Richards added: “Our members do a skilled and vital job ensuring food gets from A to B on time. But they are not being valued by their employer who has refused to offer any pay increase whatsoever.”
A spokesman for Avara Foods said: “We understand that discussions between Culina and Unite are ongoing and we hope they will reach a mutually agreeable solution. We expect to meet our Xmas commitments for turkey in full”.