Coca Cola, Muller, Unilever, Britvic supply chains facing disruption due to Alpla UK’s exploitation

Plastic packaging workers employed at Alpla UK in Golborne, Wigan, will strike over the company’s attempts to fire and rehire them on degraded contracts.

Over 150 workers, members of the UK’s leading union, Unite, are being threatened with the sack if they do not accept shift changes that will increase their hours, including extra nights and weekend working.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Alpla’s behaviour will soon be banned under UK law and it is cynically seeking to implement these disgraceful changes before the legislation comes into force.

“Unite stands with these workers 100 per cent as they fight against these attacks. Fire and rehire is the worst kind of worker exploitation and should be made illegal in all circumstances.”

Under Labour’s Employment Rights Bill, which has not yet passed into law, companies will not be able to fire and rehire workers unless they are in severe financial distress.

Alpla is not in financial distress. It’s UK operations made an operating profit of £26.31m with a turnover of £306m in 2024, while globally Alpla had a turnover of €4.9 billion.

The workers will strike on 16, 17, 27 and 28 June and 11 and 12 July. Industrial action will intensify if the dispute is not resolved.

Clients reliant on plastic packaging from the Golborne factory, including Coca Cola, Muller, Unilever and Britvic, will be impacted.

Unite regional officer Richard O’Brien said: “Not only is Alpla dragging its own name through the mud, but it is bringing its clients into disrepute. 

"Who wants to be associated with an employment practice that is soon to be made illegal? Coca Cola, Muller, Unilever and Britvic certainly don’t. This dispute will continue to escalate until fire and rehire is taken off the table.”

ENDS  

For media enquires ONLY contact senior Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215 or 020 3371 2065. 

Email: ryan.fletcher@unitetheunion.org

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.