Pickets set to be deployed at Hovis’ South Belfast site from 6am Friday May 14^th with commencement of all-out strike action  

Bread production workers who are seeking a 10 percent pay increase, vote with a 90.5 percent majority for strike action

Sean McKeever, Regional Officer called on management at leading UK bakery Hovis in Belfast to move swiftly to address his members’ pay demand. The call comes ahead of the commencement of an all-out strike for a 10 percent pay increase from 6 am this Friday [May 14^th].

“Our members, and those of the Baker’s union, at Hovis bakery in Belfast have given their unions an overwhelming mandate for industrial action, up to and including strike action. Unite members voted with a 90.5 percent majority on an exceptionally high turnout for action to secure their objective of a 10 percent pay increase.

“We have notified the employer that in the absence of any movement from them to address their employees’ pay claim, pickets will be going up from 6am on Friday, May 14^th. Our members, and those of the Baker’s union, will be commencing all-out strike action after that time.

“In the absence of any movement from management side, and given the significant role of Hovis in local bread production, it is likely that industrial action will result in bread shortages in Northern Ireland. We are therefore calling on Hovis to move swiftly to avoid the unnecessary disruption that will occur if they force this strike”, Mr McKeever concluded.