Around 1,500 Midlands-based employees at food manufacturer Two Sisters Food Group, who are members of the trade union Unite, have been awarded a two-year pay deal.
A spokesperson for Two Sisters said: "We made a commitment to work with Unite with regard to flexibility around production, and recognising and rewarding our [employees]. We believe our agreement reflects that commitment at our West Midlands sites."
The pay deal will see Unite members working at Two Sisters' West Bromwich and Wolverhampton poultry sites receive a 9.3% pay increase over the two year period.
This includes a 4.6% pay rise in year one of the deal, backdated to April 2018, and a further 4.7% increase in the second year, effective from April 2019.
The agreement also preserves all of the existing terms, conditions and working patterns of those currently undertaking morning and afternoon shifts, and confirms the recruitment of 250 additional staff, who will be employed for the purpose of covering shifts. This will allow Two Sisters to run a seven day working regime.
Joe Clarke, food, drink and agriculture officer at Unite, said: "This is an excellent deal for our members. It provides a pay increase well above inflation, while maintaining terms and conditions.
"Since the [Food Standards Agency investigation] in Two Sisters last year, we have been in extensive discussions to ensure the viability of the [organisation's] sites in the Midlands.
"This deal maintains our members' existing Monday to Friday working arrangements and preserves their work-life balance. The deal also creates new jobs with the introduction of a new shift pattern over four days, to give the [organisation] a seven day operation."
