Around 350 workers employed by food manufacturer Browns Manufacturing have accepted a 13.2% pay rise, bringing a long-running dispute to an end.
The production, distribution and maintenance workers based in Dumfriesshire in Scotland were represented by trade union Unite. The deal will see the implementation of the real living wage backdated to April 2023, a £250 one-off payment, and a commitment for living wage increases for 2024 and 2025 as part of a three-year deal.
After rejecting a pay offer from the employer of £10.90 an hour, employees participated in industrial action on 28 and 31 August, and 7 and 14 September. An overtime ban was also in effect until 18 September.
Browns Manufacturing made a profit after tax of £4.2 million in the year ending 31 December 2022. Meanwhile, the wider Browns Food Group recorded a profit of £9.2 million, with £1.5 million being paid out in dividends, and recorded a net cash position generated from its operational activities of £22.3 million in 2021.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “Unite’s members at Browns have secured an excellent wage deal. The pay increase of 13.2% this year was only achieved through the brave stance our members took in taking on their employer through strike action. Unite will always stand up and support our members fighting back for decent jobs, pay and conditions.”
Paul Bennett, industrial officer at Unite, added: “We are pleased to get this deal over the line which was overwhelmingly backed by our members. Workers will now receive a significant boost to their pay packets. Our members were fully determined to get a fair slice of the profits, which Browns is making on the back of our members’ hard work.”
Browns Manufacturing has been contacted for comment prior to publication.