16 July 2023 , 23:01
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Workers at KP Snacks begin voting on strike action today after complaining they are “paid peanuts”. Some 135 staff at its plant in Rotherham, South Yorks, will be balloted.
Union leaders claim supplies of KP Nuts would be put at risk by industrial action “because KP Snacks refuses to give workers a fair portion of its multi-million pound profits”. Unite said while profits have soared 275% since 2018, average pay at KP Snacks has dropped in real terms by 14% over the same period.
It said the current pay offer was a 6% rise plus a £1,000 one-off payment. Inflation is 8.7%. Unite regional officer Chris Rawlinson said: “KP Snacks in Rotherham is the sole producer of KP Nuts so if the strikes go ahead pubs and supermarkets will be hit hard.”
KP Snacks was contacted for comment. Its website says: “Putting KP people first is our number one priority. We aim to provide a working environment that’s safe, inclusive, rewarding and inspires all our KP colleagues to be the very best they can be.”