The ‘majority’ of staff at Bakkavor are set for a pay-rise, the company has announced.
It says 14,000 factory-based colleagues will receive the boost before the New Year, including 850 colleagues at Bakkavor Pizza in Holbeach.
Bakkavor says the discretionary pay increase is over and above the business’s normal annual pay award and has been planned for many months.
A spokesman for the company said: “Bakkavor intends to finish the year with a thank you to its colleagues, who have played a crucial role in helping to maintain food supply throughout the pandemic.
“The pay award follows Bakkavor conducting a thorough and competitive benchmarking of local pay rates at each of its 23 manufacturing sites.
“The increase means weekly earnings potential in Holbeach could range from £372 to £550 depending on level of skill and shift worked, allowing take-home pay to stay ahead of the rising cost of living.”
Mike Edwards, chief operating officer UK, at Bakkavor said: “This is an important moment for us. Since the start of the pandemic, Bakkavor has remained open for business, and I am incredibly proud of our colleagues around the UK that have gone the extra mile to maintain food supply to UK supermarkets at such a crucial time.”
“We made the decision to implement a discretionary, exceptional pay increase to recognise the crucial importance of maintaining high levels of morale and colleague retention at a time when labour shortages threaten food manufacturing and supply.
“Our commitment to our customers is to be dependable and our enhanced pay is an important investment in our people, as well as an investment in protecting the future stability of the food supply chain.”
