Burton's Biscuits Co strike: Workers at Edinburgh factory which makes Wagon Wheels and Jammie Dodgers go on 24-hour strike today

Workers at a biscuit factory which makes Wagon Wheels and Jammie Dodgers are on strike today.

Industrial action began on Tuesday afternoon at the Edinburgh site of biscuit factory Burton's, when an overtime ban was launched.

More than 200 factory workers who are members of GMB Union will start the first of three strikes this morning over the company's refusal to improve a 1.6 per cent pay offer from 2020 - 21.

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A smaller socially distanced picket line will be enforced from 6am until 5.59am on Thursday morning, complying with the UK industrial action laws and Scottish Government public health guidelines on COVID-19.

The strike takes place today outside Burton's Biscuits Co in Sighthill, Edinburgh.The strike takes place today outside Burton's Biscuits Co in Sighthill, Edinburgh.
The strike takes place today outside Burton's Biscuits Co in Sighthill, Edinburgh.

GMB Scotland organiser Benny Rankin said: "This dispute strikes at the heart of the debate around fair work and decent pay in the Scottish economy.

"The fact management claim to be shocked at our union's claim for a rise that would put just 65 pence an hour more on the wages of the lowest paid shows you how out of touch they are.

"Burton's somehow think it is credible to offer just 14 pence an hour more to their lowest paid, that's derisory given many of their workers make the living wage and just over or under £10 an hour.

"After everything they have done for the business, and particularly against the backdrop of the COVID pandemic, our members are ready to fight to make their work better."

More than 400 workers are employed at the Edinburgh factory, which produced around 7.5 million biscuits a day.

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