Falcon workers vote to strike in pay talks

Big majority knock back company’s 2 per cent offer

More than 100 staff members at a catering manufacturing firm based in the Hillfoots will take part in three days of strike action in the coming weeks.

Union GMB say that 105 employees of Falcon Foodservice Equipment will walk out following a failure to award an aboveinflation pay deal for 2018.

Production will be halted for 48 hours from Thursday and for a further 24 hours on Monday, June 18.

The Observer has been told that the action will be taken by the production line staff, who make up around half of the total workforce.

GMB members rejected a 2 per cent pay offer, with 83.5 per cent of members out of a 96.5 per cent turnout voting for the strike.

Union representatives met management on Tuesday in the wake of the ballot result and the employer tabled a fresh offer to top up the basic rate of pay, funded by the removal of a staff attendance allowance.

Staff unanimously rejected this offer after a workplace meeting and urged the firm to come up with new proposals that do not undercut existing terms and conditions.

Falcon, who are based on Hillfoots Road, supply hotels, canteens, restaurants and school kitchens with appliances such as ovens, fryers, steaming equipment and hob-based products.

GMB Scotland organiser Alan Ritchie said: “The strength of feeling among our members for a decent pay rise is evident in their comprehensive rejection of the employer’s derisory pay offer.

“In the last six months the cost of living reached a five-year high and against the backdrop of previous below-inflation awards staff have simply had enough of cuts to their pay and conditions.

“But instead of recognising our members’ real concerns the employer has only increased their anger by telling them to fund a pay increase through their own pockets. You really couldn’t make it up.”

He added: “Strike action is not something we take lightly but we have been negotiating now for six months without a resolution because of this employer’s miserly valuation of their hard-working staff.

“Falcon needs to make work pay for their staff but unless they come back with a credible offer that we deem worthy of our members’ consultation then production will stop next week.”

Falcon Foodservice Equipment declined to comment.