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Princes VOTE TO STRIKE
Unite members at Princes food production factories across the country voted overwhelmingly for strike action as Landworker went to print, writes Hajera Blagg.
The strike action could see popular tinned and jarred foods brands including Branston, Crosse & Blackwell, Napolina and Batchelors, disappear from major supermarket shelves.
Over 800 workers at five sites including Long Sutton, Wisbech, Cardiff, Bradford and Glasgow, were balloted for strike action in October and November after rejecting a paltry pay deal from the company’s new owners.
Unite’s members, who work as line operatives and engineers, had been offered between a 4 and 7 per cent pay rise by the previous owner Mitsubishi, which was later withdrawn by new owners Newlat S.p.A, who are now offering just 3 per cent.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Princes needs to get back round the negotiating table before its customers discover they won’t have any products in their shopping baskets. Our members work in back breaking roles on low pay and deserve a fair slice of the pie.”
In its latest half year financial reports, the Newlat Group expects to achieve sales of €2.8bn during this financial year, with estimated profits of €188m.
Unite acting national officer for food, drink and agriculture Paul Travers added, “Newlat borrowed huge sums of money to buy Princes and is now looking to cut corners and penny pinch to pay that money back. Unite won’t let it do so with our members’ livelihoods.”
Second
‘domesday book’ to go on line
The achievements of farmers and agricultural labourers on 300,000 English and Welsh farms who fed the nation in World War II is among the most requested record series at The National Archives.
Now a £2.13m grant from the Lund Trust will help digitalise the 1941 National Farm Survey (1941 NFM) described as the ‘Second Domesday’ book.
The 1941 NFM is one of the most comprehensive records of land held at the National Archives. Currently ‘the complex filing of the paper record makes it difficult for readers to order and use, with the records only available in physical copy.’
The new funds will digitalise the records allowing each farm to be searchable online by family historians.
Analysis by historical economists, geographers and ecologists may also offer an opportunity to explore how the state can today play a role in boosting food production.
Princes’ members voted to strike 6 uniteLANDWORKER Autumn 2024
FIND OUT MORE See
nationalarchives.gov.uk
Alamy
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