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Workers at two Weetabix factories launched four-day strikes from 8 November in a dispute over pay and conditions.

Members of Unite in Kettering and Corby have been on strike every Tuesday and Wednesday since September over ‘fire-and-rehire’ imposed contract changes that could leave them up to £5,000 a year worse off.

In an escalation of the dispute, strikes are to take place every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

“Weetabix is making bumper profits, so there is no justification for these ‘fire and rehire’ attacks on our members’ wages and conditions,” Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, said. “They are just not swallowing what in reality is a serving of corporate greed.

“Unite will not accept attacks on our members’ jobs, pay and conditions, and Weetabix should expect this dispute to continue escalating until fire and rehire is dropped.”

About 80 engineers have been taking part in the Tuesday and Wednesday strike action since September at the Weetabix Mills factory in Burton Latimer and at its plant on the Earlstrees industrial estate in Corby. The two factories also produce Alpen, Weetos and Oatibix.