Crunch time for Jammie Dodgers

A union says production of some of the UK’s favourite biscuits will halt at an Edinburgh factory as staff plan to strike as part of a pay dispute.

The GMB has accused bosses at Bur ton’s Biscuits Co in Sighthill of making a “derisory” pay offer, saying it shows management “do not value” the workers.

The firm makes biscuit brands including Jammie Dodgers and Wagon Wheels.

The plant’s GMB members voted by 91% for industrial action after management refused to increase a 1.6% pay offer for the next year, the union said.

An indefinite work to rule and overtime ban begins from 2pm

“The stubborn stance on this year’s pay offer is an insult”

tomorrow ahead of a series of 24-hour strikes, with the first from 6am the following morning.

More strikes are due on September 16 and 23.

“Burton’s stubborn stance on this year’s pay offer is an insult to staff that have worked throughout the lockdown at management’ s insistence ,” GMB Scotland organiser Benny Rankin said.

“Their refusal to meaningfully engage with a workforce that deserve so much better means we have been left with little choice but to strike for a decent pay offer.”

A Burton’s Biscuit Co spokesman said the firm was “shocked” at the GMB’s request for a 7% pay rise but was “always open to meaningful discussions on pay”.

He accused the union of not sharing offers about pay and flexible working openly with members and revealed there has been a £1.2 million impact on the baker y during the coronavirus pandemic.