Pay dispute food workers strike

Grampian Country Food Group workers went on strike at 0600 BST

Hundreds of workers from one of the country's biggest food firms have gone on strike as part of a pay dispute.

Almost 1,500 Grampian Country Food Group staff went on strike at 0600 BST on Thursday over pay and pensions.

T&G union members voted for action two weeks ago but a UK-wide stoppage planned for last week was postponed.

Workers at Fairview near Edinburgh, Cambuslang near Glasgow and Coupar Angus have walked out. The company said it was "disappointed" at the action.

The dispute between union members and management centres on pay and pensions and what the union claims is the "increasing casualisation" of the workforce.

'Company's policy'

A spokesman for Grampian Country Foods said discussions would continue between local management and unions to reach a solution.

He added that the firm was confident the impact on business would be minimal.

T&G regional industrial organiser Scott Foley said: "It was clear to us that while local managements claimed in some cases to be free to negotiate with us, in reality their hands were tied by their company's policy across the UK, and they were unable to arrive at a settlement with us.

"So talks have broken down at most of the group's sites and our members are taking strike action."

Grampian Country Food Group operates at 35 main locations, employing 20,000 people throughout the UK, Thailand and The Netherlands.