Coke bosses did not enter strike talks in good faith, argues union

Unite union representatives and Coca-Cola bosses sat down yesterday to discuss a dispute over a pay rise for workers at the plant in Nobel Road.

However, Unite's regional organiser Wayne King accused Coca Cola of not negotiating “honourably” as the talks collapsed last night.

He said: "Coca-Cola has unfortunately failed to come to these talks in good faith. Despite the opportunity for progress presented by the Acas talks, Coca-Cola offered exactly the same as before - that is, a real terms pay cut.

"The only way to settle this dispute is for Coca-Cola to move beyond its intransigent position and negotiate honourably with Unite."

The dispute is over a two per cent pay rise offered to workers at the plant, which the union labelled “stingy” as it originally called a strike for Wednesday this week.

The talks postponed the industrial action, but Mr King said today if no new offer is put on the table by bosses, the 110-strong workforce will walk out on Wednesday, September 15.