One of the biggest protest displays seen in Spalding for years saw hundreds march from Bakkavor to the town centre on Tuesday (October 22).
Around 700 staff have been on strike in a dispute over pay for the last three weeks.
Staff earn just above the minimum wage and refused an offer of six per cent when it was made in May.
But the company has also revealed half-year profits of £55m for 2024.
According to the union, Bakkavor had offered an increased deal of 7.8 per cent to those on the lowest wage and 6.4 per cent across the other grades. But union members were looking for eight per cent.
A spokesman for organisers Unite said they were delighted with the turnout.
“Thank you to everyone who attended,” a spokesman said. “We had great support from the local community.
“It was a great day had by all members and families.”
It comes just days after the general secretary of Unite, Sharon Graham, joined the picket line.
Unite Union member Sam Hennessey said: “Members are feeling really strong, really vibrant and are determined to win this fight for fair pay.”
A Union spokesman claimed that Bakkavor was ‘avoiding real engagement and meaningful dialogue’ as well as bringing in workers from other factories.
Bakkavor says its proposed entry rates (inclusive of paid breaks) range from £12.43 to £13.02 which it says is ‘highly competitive’, ‘well ahead of 1.7 per cent inflation and the £11.44 National Living Wage’#.
It also says 400 staff are on strike and 800 are working which it thanks.
Sadie Woodhouse, general manager at Bakkavor Spalding, said: “We are clearly disappointed that the Union moved forward with strike action despite our efforts to positively negotiate with them and us putting a good deal on the table, well above inflation and national living wage.
“We respect the role that unions play generally in protecting workers’ rights. However, it makes no sense for a union to call for a strike against a business that is already looking after its people, creating employment in the local community, investing in training and putting forward above-inflation pay rises.
“We are committed in our backing of the new government’s ambition of creating economic growth through running a successful, sustainable business that contributes to the economy.”
