Unite members vote with 75 percent majority to end their dispute and accept two-year pay deal

Workers of Unite the union working at Hovis have voted by a margin of three to one to accept a significantly improved pay increase offered by their employer. The improved pay deal was offered on the eve of all-out strike action planned last week. Over two calendar years 2023 and 2024, the offer provides workers with a pay increase of 13.5 percent.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham congratulated Unite members at Hovis for their willingness to take strike action for improved pay. 

“Yet again members of Unite have secured a significant improvement to their pay through their collective action. Hovis can well afford to increase the pay of their workforce; they have enjoyed huge success in recent years posting pre-tax profits of almost £50 million in 2021.

“Why should workers pay the price for the current economic crisis when it was definitely not of their making. Our members know that they have the full backing of this union when they organise to defend jobs, pay and conditions.”

Regional Officer for the workforce, Sean McKeever, welcomed the settlement.

“This is a huge win for our members and came on the back of our clear intent to take all-out strike action on the back of a 95 percent ballot for strike action.

“This success occurs after a number of years of successful outcomes to pay disputes at Hovis which has lifted pay at this employer substantially over the period. All other employers in this sector now need to take note and bring forward pay deals that deliver real improvements for their employees.”