Coca-Cola workers set to strike after talks fail

Workers at a Coca-Cola factory are set to go on strike after the breakdown of talks aimed at resolving a row over pay, it was warned today.

embers of Unite at the firm's plant in North London will walk out next Wednesday following the failure of negotiations held yesterday at the conciliation service Acas.

Workers voted to take industrial action in protest at a 2% pay offer, which the union complained was below the rate of inflation.

Wayne King, Unite's regional officer, said today: "Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) has unfortunately failed to come to these talks in good faith. Despite the opportunity for progress presented by the Acas talks, CCE offered exactly the same as before - that is, a real terms pay cut.

"The only way to settle this dispute is for CCE to move beyond its intransigent position and negotiate honourably with Unite.

"Unite remains available for further talks but unless CCE improve their offer next week's planned industrial action will go ahead."

A company spokesman said: "Talks at Acas ended when the team from Unite left, before agreement had been reached.

"This is especially disappointing with the CCE team available to continue negotiations, and believing that further dialogue offered the prospect of a constructive outcome.

"After investing in a full day of talks, we are very frustrated that progress hasn't proved possible at Acas."