A spokesperson for the UK and Irish trade union, Unite, told us voting by its members at the Bury St Edmunds based feed production site for strike or industrial action began today.
The union said the move is over claims mill employees face increases in working time, cuts to their annual holidays and the withdrawal of incentive payments, while drivers were allegedly told that they must increase their working day from 12 to 15 hours.
The ballot is due to close on Friday, 22 July. “When we have assessed the results and consulted with our members, we will issue notification of strike action or otherwise,” said the Unite spokesperson.
The trade union also accused ABN management of bullying tactics to “erode terms and conditions that have evolved over many years.”
Unite regional officer, Steve Harley, claimed: “We have raised these allegations with management and the human resources department - and yet not a single case has been investigated. Industrial action is always a last resort and is only taken when workers have been pushed against the wall by intransigent bosses.
“It has done so without allowing the recognized trade union, Unite, or the employees any chance to challenge this process.”
Open approach
In an emailed statement to this publication, ABN said it has been working with employees and trade unions over the last three months to bring in new workplace agreements at its 11 monogastric feed mills in the UK, including the site in Bury St Edmunds.
“We have been open in our consultation approach, and will continue to work together to achieve a fair outcome for all,” added the feed company.
Unite said its door for talks is always open, as long the management intends to negotiate in good faith. “And it should not be forgotten that the Bury St Edmunds operation is financially very healthy,” added Harley.
ABN is the compound feed part of AB Agri. It supplies feed to companies such as Banham Poultry, Bernard Matthews and Gressingham Foods.