Princes, a prominent food-and-drinks group, has issued a warning that job cuts in the UK may be necessary if ongoing strikes at the manufacturer’s sites persist. The company is currently embroiled in a dispute with the UK union Unite over pay, with staff at five UK facilities participating in industrial action in December and January.

While Princes has reached a pay agreement with another trade union, GMB, negotiations with Unite have reached an impasse. Workers at three Princes sites are preparing to strike again next month, prompting the company’s chairman to caution about the potential job repercussions if the strikes continue.

Angelo Mastrolia, who also serves as the president of Princes’ Italian owner Newlat, stated that if Unite confirms the strike schedule for February, Princes will be compelled to withdraw the 3% pay offer. Additionally, the company may need to transfer part of its branded production to other facilities, potentially overseas. Mastrolia emphasized that continued strike action could necessitate job reductions at Princes’ UK sites, presenting a significant risk to both employees and the company.

Unite contends that Newlat revoked a higher pay proposal that Princes had presented before the £700m ($869.2m) business sale last year. According to Unite, Princes’ previous owner, Mitsubishi, had offered a 4-7% pay increase based on salary, while the new owner proposed a 3% raise. In response, workers at Princes’ Wisbech site are scheduled to hold eight days of strikes from 1 to 12 February, with additional strikes planned at the Long Sutton facility for four days and at the Bradford site for two days in the same month.

Unite has expressed willingness to resume negotiations if Princes is willing to improve its offer. General secretary Sharon Graham condemned Princes’ threats and described the company’s behavior as disgraceful and union-busting. Unite stands firmly with its members in the dispute and vows to support them throughout the process.

In conclusion, the ongoing conflict between Princes and Unite poses a significant challenge to both the company and its employees. The threat of job cuts looms large if the strikes persist, underscoring the importance of reaching a resolution that is acceptable to all parties involved. The impact of industrial action on the food-and-drinks sector highlights the need for constructive dialogue and fair agreements to ensure the stability and sustainability of the industry.