Jacobs Cream Crackers factory workers go on strike

More than 750 workers at the Jacobs Cream Crackers factory are to stage a permanent strike in anger at a real terms pay cut.

Staff at the Aintree plant have been taking limited industrial action since September in their dispute over pay.

The staff makes 14,000 tons of Jacobs cream crackers every year.

The company announced that it would be temporarily shifting some production of Jacobs Cream Crackers to Portugal in what GMB said was a bid to undermine the strike.

Eamon O’Hearn, GMB national officer, said: “These workers are rightly angry – they put themselves on the line to keep the company going during the pandemic.

“Now they need some help to get them through the cost of living crisis. But it’s falling on deaf ears. In fact, more than that, bosses are shifting an iconic British brand to Portugal to undermine their own workers.

“This kind of naked corporate greed in the run up to Christmas is disgraceful.

“Jacob’s workers will now be on strike 24 hours a day, seven days a week until the company comes back to the negotiating table.”

A spokesperson for pladis UK&I said: “As has been widely documented, the cost of doing business has increased significantly in every aspect of our operations, from rising energy costs to a wide range of pressures more broadly in our supply chain.

“However, we greatly value our workforce, many of whom helped to keep us going throughout the pandemic, which is why, despite these pressures, we have offered a pay rise at almost 9% over two years, in addition to an immediate £500 payment to help with the increased cost of living.

“We therefore regret that the GMB has decided to take this course of action, despite our efforts to reach an agreement with them. We would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that our door remains open for further discussions with the union’s representatives.”