Dave Reid, Cardiff Socialist Party

Unite members at Princes factory in Cardiff took their second round of industrial action against the attempt of the company’s new owners, Newlat, to renege on a pay offer of 4.5% and impose a 3% pay deal that does not begin to address the losses from increases in the cost of living.

While food companies like Princes have increased their prices by up to 20% over the last three years, their workers are being given 3% without any negotiation at all – the company even refuses to take the dispute to ACAS.

Cardiff workers have been joined in action by workers at the Princes plants in Bradford, Glasgow, Long Sutton and Wisbech. GMB and Usdaw unions are balloting at some plants too. With a threat to the production of Branston and Cross & Blackwell products, this really is a ‘spreading’ strike.

“It’s not just about 1.5%,” Jason said on a freezing Cardiff picket line. “We’ve got to think what will happen next year too. If they get away with this then they’ll try another low offer”.

Newlat bought Princes from Mitsubishi last year, and boasted to investors of a big increase in profits. Its website says: “The combined ‘New Princes Group’ will have a turnover of €2.8 billion, a global network of 31 plants, 8,800 employees, and over 30 brands.”

Unite says: “Newlat borrowed huge sums of money to buy Princes and is now looking to cut corners and penny-pinch to pay that money back. Unite won’t let them do so with our members’ livelihoods.” Workers will not accept paying for the sale of their own workplaces.

Despite the polar weather, members of Cardiff Socialist Party and of eight union branches, mobilised by Cardiff Trades Council, have been warmly welcomed as they brought solidarity to the picket line.

Action is planned at the five plants for another two days starting on 28 January and if necessary for other strike days.

Bradford

At the Bradford site, strikers told us how after five months of ignoring the union, on Monday morning management contacted Unite asking for talks. Pickets told us that while this shows the strike action is having an effect, they’ll believe the company is genuine when they get the rise they are due.

Iain Daltonm, Leeds and West Yorkshire Socialist Party