LONDON, Nov. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In response to union claims of an international campaign to lobby our stakeholders – Bakkavor today speaks out and sets the record straight on the local strike in Spalding, which it has attempted to resolve.

Donna-Maria Lee, Chief People Officer at Bakkavor comments: “It is now six weeks since Unite the Union commenced strike action with a minority of our Spalding colleagues. It is now clear to us that it is becoming increasingly difficult to resolve this dispute with Unite and get people back to work anytime soon. We have engaged the Union in discussions since the start, and our CEO met with them recently out of a genuine desire to resolve the issue. Whilst a material discretionary bonus (of £350 per person) and an above inflation pay rise have been tabled for Spalding colleagues, the Union has now advised us that they have put it to ballot, with a recommendation to reject our offer.

“Coupled with this, working colleagues have reported being made to feel uncomfortable by the strikers, and the Union has set out on what it describes as “an international campaign” to directly lobby our stakeholders – when the real task for them is to settle a dispute in Spalding.

“It takes both parties to engage and whilst we have sought to resolve the issue, I met with the Union this week and it is clear that Unite has little interest in moving forward with the situation at Spalding and is intent on lobbying, publicity and politics, rather than solving a strike that they called for.”

Some key fact-checking on the context behind the strike:

• The Union has wrongly claimed that more than 700 of its members in Spalding are taking industrial action. Whilst the union may have 700 members of the 1,400-strong workforce, only c.450 are not attending work.
• Over two-thirds of Spalding colleagues, more than 950, have not engaged with strike action and are reporting to work as usual. We would like to thank them for their loyalty and support in the face of external attempts to disrupt and discredit the business.
• Whilst the union has repeatedly accused Bakkavor of making derisory pay rises, the truth is quite different. In September Bakkavor put forward an improved offer of 7.8% to its lowest paid colleagues and 6.4% across all other grades – well above the national living wage and inflation, which now stands at 1.7% (2.0% at the settlement date in May).
• Over the past three years, CPI in the UK has grown by 21%, at our Spalding site over the same three-year period the pay rate for our lowest paid colleagues has risen by 22.8% and all other grades by 21.2%, both above inflation for the period. This excludes improvements we have made to broader benefits over the same period.
• In summary, the Union’s claims of “years of real terms pay cuts”, whilst emotive, are completely without basis. The reality is that Bakkavor has worked hard to protect our colleagues through the cost-of-living crisis which many businesses have not been able to do.
• Further to the increases put forward in September, Bakkavor has offered all Spalding colleagues a discretionary £350 per person bonus to try and resolve the strike, this payment is over and above the pay rise. Again, this demonstrates Bakkavor’s willingness to engage.
• In addition to rates of pay, Bakkavor staff also receive a wide range of benefits including life insurance, personal accident insurance, access to a vast range of retailer discounts and heavily subsidised food through Bakkavor’s staff shops.
• Nationally, Bakkavor’s proposed pay rises have been welcomed across its other 20 UK sites, with over 13,500 colleagues receiving their pay rises versus our colleagues at Spalding whose payments have been delayed due to this process.
• Contrary to claims of disruption to UK food supply, Bakkavor can confirm Christmas will be unaffected by the local issue at Spalding. Its Christmas ranges are made at its other UK sites. There has been some short-term disruption to soups as an isolated product category. Traditionally, Bakkavor’s soups are only made at Spalding – but work is in hand to resolve this very quickly. This is part of our contingency planning which has enabled us to continue to produce the vast majority of products from this site.

Mike Edwards CEO at Bakkavor concludes: “In the Autumn Budget last week, the Government set out the twin aim of supporting workers and creating economic growth. We support both of these things at Bakkavor and in truth they cannot actually be separated. Our colleague pay and benefits are well above the minimum wage and ahead of inflation.

“The fact that our company’s ‘Long Service Awards’ have celebrated more than 4,000 colleagues for milestones between 5- and 35-year periods of service over the last two years shows that people choose to stay at Bakkavor and for a length of time, which would be viewed as remarkable in many industry sectors today.

“Coupled with looking after our people, which we do, we have an obligation to be a sustainable business. Our pay deals need to be fair to colleagues across all our 21 sites. We believe the offer proposed is entirely fair based on the context in which we are operating.

“The Union has a right to campaign, but our responsibility as a business – to our colleagues, customers, shareholders and to the communities in which we are a major employer – is to be sustainable, and fair, for the long term. We have been through a global pandemic and a seismic cost-of-living crisis and managing our business well ensures we will continue to create growth – growth for the economy, job creation and training opportunities for young people across the UK.

“Our offer of a pay rise and bonus to Spalding colleagues has now gone to a union ballot and Unite are recommending their members reject it. If this happens, we will be at an impasse (a ‘failure to agree’) and we will work to find a way to offer the increases to rates of pay and the bonus to all colleagues at Spalding on an individual basis. If accepted by individuals, this will see new rates implemented, back pay processed and bonus paid before Christmas which is what the majority of our Spalding colleagues want.”

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bakkavor-sets-the-record-straight-following-its-meaningful-attempt-to-settle-the-strike-in-spalding-302299893.html

Advertisement

JINAN, China, Nov. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Recently, Shandong University hosted its inaugural global alumni celebrations at the university’s central campus in celebration of its 123rd anniversary.

Over 5,000 alumni from various industries and regions across the globe gathered to mark this significant occasion.

Chinese scientist Xue Qikun, an alumnus of Shandong University and academician of Chinese Academy of Science, shared his fond memories of studying at the university, highlighting its legacy of educational excellence and dedication to national service through research. He emphasized that his achievements in scientific research and talent development are strongly connected to the education and inspiration he received at Shandong University.

“Alumni are the most valuable asset of Shandong University and a trusted source of support. The university’s success is closely linked to the success of its alumni,” stated Ren Youqun, Party secretary of Shandong University. He concluded that the university would leverage the global alumni conference to uphold its mission of nurturing talent for the nation, drive innovation, and collaborate with alumni to promote the university’s spirit, share its story, and contribute to social development.

Shandong University President Li Shucai stated that the alumni of Shandong University are at the forefront of global scientific advancements, making significant contributions to the high-quality development of the national and regional economy and society. The university will create a comprehensive cooperation platform for alumni and strengthen alumni cultural development, continuously supporting them in enhancing high-level scientific independence and contributing to the quality development of the regional economy and society.

The alumni associations of six industries, namely the Social Work, Media, Advanced Manufacturing Technology and Equipment, Smart Energy, Integrated Circuit, Transportation, were officially inaugurated. The associations will serve as vital links to connect alumni and bridges to convey the care of Shandong University, gathering alumni resources in the same industry.

Shandong University has launched a lifelong learning platform for its alumni. This platform will facilitate the sharing of academic resources and focus on science, technology, and social and economic development, leveraging the university’s high-quality disciplines and research strength.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/shandong-university-hosts-first-global-alumni-celebrations-302299866.html

Acquisition consolidates NFP’s financial planning and employee benefits capabilities, while expanding NFP’s presence into western Ireland

DUBLIN, Nov. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — NFP, an Aon company and a leading international insurance brokerage and consulting firm, today announced its acquisition of HC Financial, a financial planning and corporate employee benefits advisory business based in Galway, Ireland. The HC Financial team will join NFP, with Founder and Director, Gerry Cuddy, moving into a consultant role reporting to Colm Power, managing director, Benefits and Wealth.

“Gerry and his team have built a fantastic, highly regarded advisory business with an extremely loyal client base, and we’re excited they will be part of our future growth,” said Power. “This significant acquisition will help us meet the growing demand for benefits and wealth planning expertise and expand NFP’s physical footprint outside the Dublin market.”

Since 1988, HC Financial has provided clients in western Ireland with investment, pension and savings propositions and established itself as one of the largest advisory firms in Ireland. They’ve built an outstanding reputation with their dedication to clients and continuing investment in employees and technology.

“We’re excited to join NFP, a company that shares our core values of honesty, integrity, transparency and expertise,” said Cuddy. “Today is a great day for our customers and employees and the future of NFP in Ireland as we expand the solutions and expertise available to our clients.”

About NFP

NFP, an Aon company, is an organisation of consultative advisors and problem solvers helping companies and individuals address their most significant risk, workforce, wealth management and retirement challenges. We are more than 7,700 colleagues in the UK, Ireland, US, Puerto Rico and Canada serving a diversity of clients, industries and communities. Our global capabilities, specialised expertise and customised solutions span commercial business insurance, employee benefits, people consultancy, health and safety, and individual financial planning. Together, we put people first, prioritise partnerships and continuously advance a culture we’re proud of. Visit NFP.co.uk to learn more.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/945522/nfp_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nfp-acquires-hc-financial-a-wealth-and-corporate-benefits-advisory-business-302299572.html