Bolton: Warburtons drivers head to ballot over strike action

The drivers at bakery firm Warburtons have not been able to come to an agreement with the company over payment.

A source has told The Bolton News that the bread-baking giants have recently taken away bonuses and allowance payments for a number of its sites.

This would amount to a cut to the existing take-home for the average driver - an allegation put to Warburtons which the business neither confirmed nor denied.

Additionally, pay negotiations have also said to have stalled following talks with ACAS – the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.

The most recent offer has been rejected by United Road Transport Union (URTU) members at Warburtons.

The source says that this situation is forcing many drivers to leave the company, heaping extra pressure on those who remain.

READ: Bolton to benefit from Warburtons 1m pledge

Discussions between the URTU and Warburtons are now said to have escalated and drivers will soon be balloted on industrial action.

The ballot reportedly opens on Tuesday, October 18 and will last three weeks.

Warburtons say they will endeavour to keep products on shelves. Credit: Warburtons (Image: Warburtons)

The union has been contacted for a comment but was unable to provide one.

Warburtons is keen to come to an agreement as soon as possible but is resigned to the fact that strike action may be on the horizon.

A spokesperson for the company said: “As a family business we very much recognise the need to offer all our people competitive pay and have been working hard to negotiate a pay deal with our drivers.

“Unfortunately, despite all our efforts our drivers' union, the URTU, has chosen to ballot for industrial action with their members.

“We are waiting to hear the outcome but remain committed to continuing negotiations at the earliest opportunity.”

Warburtons has been baking bread in Bolton since 1876 and is the nation’s number one bakery brand, producing more than 2m products a day.

Its fleet of almost 1,000 vehicles deliver to around 18,500 customers daily, and it says will endeavour to retain this feat if strike action were to take place.

The spokesperson added: “We would like to reassure people that no matter the outcome, we will do everything we can to keep supermarket shelves across the country fully stocked.”

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