A strike planned by the workers at Hovis’ Belfast plant was suspended as they consider an improved pay offer made by the management. The strike was scheduled for March 5 and was suspended last moment, with the workers union, Unite, warning that a strike would impact bread supplies across Northern Ireland.

Unite called off the strike for seven days, while it ballots its members on the improved offer. If they vote to reject the deal, continuous strike action is scheduled to start from the morning of March 12. The staff seeks a 13.4% wage increase.

Hovis’ workforce pursues cost of living pay increase, with 95% of the workers voting in favor of a strike. Hovis saw its turnover rise by 8% in 2020, to reach GBP 361.2 million in 2021, after a marginal further increase. The Belfast plant produces 35% of all the bread sold in the Northern Ireland, BBC reports.

The Hovis Belfast workers last went on strike in 2021, for 11 days, when they settled for a 8% pay rise. Some large retailers reported small supply issues at the time, BBC adds.

Photo: Hovis Twitter