Strike action threatened at KP Snacks nut plant

Union members have begun voting on strike action today (Monday 17 July) at the KP Snacks plant in Hellaby, Rotherham over a dispute in pay.

Unite claimed that workers have been offered a “below inflation” ​increase of 6% plus a £1,000 one-off payment and that some of its members – specifically the lowest paid members of staff at the factory – have been excluded from KP Snacks’ pay negotiations.

Consequences of strike action

Should strike action go ahead, about 135 members of staff would down tools at the site.

Unite regional officer Chris Rawlinson said: “KP Snacks in Rotherham is the sole producer of KP Nuts. So, if the strikes go ahead pubs and supermarkets will be hit hard. ​

“Unite members are determined to get a fairer portion of the company’s huge profits. It’s time for management to put a serious pay offer to the workforce.”​

Food Manufacture​ has approached KP Snacks for comment.

Since the start of 2023, a number of food and drink production plants have been hit with threats of strike action by unions unhappy with the pay deals offered to their members.

Industrial action

Last month, proposed strike action at AG Barr’s Cumbernauld production and distribution centre threatens to disrupt supplies of Irn-Bru this summer, according to Unite.

Andy Brown, Unite industrial officer, said: “Unite’s members keep the Cumbernauld factory of AG Barr running smoothly. Without them it will undoubtedly have a big impact on production and distribution.”​

Meanwhile, Unite members at Edrington Distillers accepted a 12% pay rise over the course of the year to end a dispute over new shift patterns and unsociable hours.​​

This pay rise will see workers based at the Drumchapel site receive a boost to their annual income from £2,450 up to £4,900.