Supermarkets are facing a peanut shortage as workers at snack brand KP Snacks’ factory threaten to strike.
The action could bring production to a halt, with pubs and supermarkets likely to be “hard hit”, according to Unite Union, as the Rotherham factory is the only producer of KP Snacks products
The union said staff plan to strike over pay, and were being “paid peanuts” while the company had increased its profits by 275% since 2018.
Meanwhile, average pay at KP Snacks has fallen by 14% over the same five-year period.
The snack brand is currently offering a pay rise of 6%, plus a £1,000 one-off payment to workers as a result. But voting on strike action is still planned take place regardless.
About 135 workers at KP Snacks, including low-paid cleaners, will vote on strike action this week.
However, the lowest paid cleaners, who earn £10.66 an hour, have been excluded from the pay offer.
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Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham told Sky News: “To exclude the lowest paid workers from the pay negotiations all together is corporate greed in action.
“Especially when KP Snacks made £54m in profit. The workers have Unite’s steadfast support,” she added.
Unite regional officer, Chris Rawlinson also commented: “Unite members are determined to get a fairer portion of the company’s huge profits. It’s time for management to put a serious pay offer to the workforce.”
The news comes as retail trade union Usdaw is calling on the government to address workers’ pay as wages continue to be devalued by double-digit inflation.
