British Sugar workers reluctantly accept 3.5%

Members of general union Unite at four British Sugar plants in the east of England have decided to accept a 3.5% pay offer after there was insufficient support, by a narrow margin, for industrial action. Unite had been seeking a pay deal equal to retail price index (RPI) inflation for the year April 2011-April 2012 for its 250 members who include engineers and production staff.

Unite regional officer Tony Ellingford said: “Our members have unhappily and reluctantly accepted the company’s pay offer — the decision was taken in the context of the grim economic climate that does not look like improving under the coalition government.”