Employees at Coca Cola's Edmonton plant in north London have voted in favour of strike action after rejecting a two per cent pay rise offer.
The union Unite which represents 110 of the 150 employees at the site said the workers want a pay rise “that reflects the true cost of living in one of the world’s most expensive cities”. With inflation at almost five per cent and Coca-Cola making “massive profits”, Unite regional officer Wayne King labelled the pay rise offer “frankly insulting”.
Members voted 81 per cent in favour of strike action and 92 per cent in favour of action short of a strike.
“Coca-Cola is in no way suffering during the recession yet it wants to force its workers, in one of the world’s most expensive cities, to accept a poverty pay deal,” said King. “Further, the company has failed to meaningfully negotiate throughout the pay process. Small wonder then that the overwhelming majority of our members have voted for industrial action. Unless Coca-Cola responds with an improved offer, then a strike seems inevitable.”
Coca Cola produces about two million bottles every 24 hours at Edmonton and nationally employs more than 4,000 people.
