Tunnock's workers stage second walkout

Staff at biscuit makers Tunnock's will go on strike today in the second 24-hour walkout in a week in a row over pay.

Workers at the factory in Uddingston, Lanarkshire - home of the Tunnock's teacake, snowball and caramel wafer - decided to go ahead with the strike after pay deal talks broke down earlier this month.

Tunnock's made an offer of a 2% rise but staff voted at a meeting last Wednesday to go ahead with the first 24-hour walkout while workers were balloted on the figure, Unite said.

During the first 24-hour walkout on Thursday last week, around 60 workers involved in the strike action waved Unite flags and chanted "we want fair pay" outside Tunnock's factory on the corner of Old Mill Road in Uddingston.

Derek Ormston, regional industrial organiser for Unite, said: "The union is disappointed that the company has not approached us with an improved offer to avoid this action today.

"Our members will be considering what the next stage will be once we have seen the result of the ballot on the 2% offer."

Around 360 workers are involved in the strike action, Unite said.

A continuous overtime ban and work-to-rule also started last Thursday.

Workers will formally vote on whether to accept the 2% offer with a postal ballot due to close on October 4.