HUNDREDS of staff at one of Worcestershire’s biggest employers could go on strike this summer over pay.
Employees at Muller Droitwich, Pointon Way, are set to be asked whether they would support industrial action over a pay increase, with staff on the lowest wage offered just a few pence more than minimum wage at the latest pay review.
Usdaw, the union which represents workers at the site, announced it would hold a ballot to decide whether members would go on strike.
In a letter to union members seen by the Worcester News, Usdaw said: “As you will be aware, you, our members, rejected the company’s offer in the recent pay review ballot.
“Having now declared the rejection to Muller, they are firm that this is their final offer and no more money is available.
“Usdaw has to undertake a consultative industrial action ballot to identify if the membership would be willing to take industrial action to persuade the company to improve their offer.”
Muller Droitwich employs around 800 people and is one of the largest employers in the county, with many staff commuting in from beyond Worcestershire to work at the centre.
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One employee, who did not want to be named,said: “It is to do with the pay offer Muller made.
“It would take the lowest paid workers, about half of the staff, to just 3p above minimum wage.
“For many years, the staff were paid better than the people working in the supermarkets, but now the supermarkets are paying better than Muller.”
Companies such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s are now paying their lowest-paid staff over 50p more than the minimum wage.
Staff will have three weeks from Friday, May 1, to vote for or against the industrial action.
Muller declined to comment.
