Bakkavor workers at a plant in the UK are preparing strike action in protest of a “derisory pay offer”, according to a trade union.

More than 700 members of the Unite union will be taking part in continuous strike action from 27 September at the site in Spalding, Lincolnshire.

The employees make and prepare meals, soups, dips, salads, desserts, pizzas and breads for retailers including Tesco and Waitrose. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Bakkavor has built a highly profitable business on the backs of workers and yet fails to recognise their hard work in incredibly tough working conditions. 

“Our members are rightly angry after years of below-inflation pay rises, the most recent offer is an insult. Bakkavor needs to rapidly think again and come back with an improved pay deal.”

Unite said its members rejected a 6% pay increase that was offered in May.

However, Bakkavor said it proposed an increase of 7.8% to its lowest-paid colleagues and 6.4% across all other grades. Roughly half of its employees at the Spalding site are members of Unite.

Sadie Woodhouse, general manager at Bakkavor’s Spalding site, said: “We are clearly disappointed that the union has advocated strike action despite our efforts to positively negotiate with them and us putting a good deal on the table, well above inflation and national living wage. 

“We respect the role that unions play generally in protecting workers’ rights. However, it makes no sense for a union to call for a strike against a business that is already looking after its people, creating employment in the local community, investing in training and putting forward above-inflation pay rises.

“We are committed in our backing of the new government’s ambition of creating economic growth through running a successful, sustainable business that contributes to the economy.”

The business added that itis hopeful that the proposed strike action starting on 27 September will be called off.

Sam Hennessy, Unite regional officer, said: “Bakkavor is stalling and refusing to negotiate constructively and take an approach of 'my way or the highway.  

“Strike action will inevitably cause disruption and shortages to supermarkets across the UK but this dispute is entirely of Bakkavor’s own making. We urge Bakkavor to listen to the concerns of its staff and provide them with an improved and fair pay offer before strike action starts this month.”

Earlier this month, Bakkavor revealed it had proposed the closure of a factory in Wigan that employs around 750 people.

The prepared-foods business said its Bakkavor Meals site in Ince in north-west England is unprofitable and would require “significant investment”.

A Bakkavor spokesperson said: “We’ve undertaken a thorough review of options and despite our best efforts it has not been possible to find a viable solution. Furthermore, we believe there is no realistic prospect of being able to do so in the foreseeable future.”