Burton's biscuit workers in Llantarnam strike over pay
Some workers at a south Wales factory are striking in a dispute over pay.
Unite members at biscuit makers Burton's Foods in Llantarnam, Cwmbran, Torfaen rejected the company's offer of a 2% pay increase for 2012.
Staff are taking the action over 32 hours on Tuesday and Wednesday, said the union. The company's brands include Jammie Dodgers and Wagon Wheels.
The company said 49 of 800 staff were involved and it was disappointed that an agreement could not be reached.
Union members started a work to rule earlier this month, including an overtime ban, after talks failed.
Last year, the company announced it was cutting 70 jobs at the Llantarnam factory due to cost cutting.
The firm, which has six plants across the UK, said the proposed offer is 1.5% for 2011 with 2% for 2012, plus an additional 1% performance-related bonus for 2012.
"Burton's Biscuit Company is disappointed that a compromise could not be reached with Unite the Union and its 49 members, which represent only 6% of total employees at our Llantarnam site," he said.
"Contingency measures are in place to mitigate any disruption caused by proposed actions and we firmly believe the final offer presented to union members was not only fair and reasonable, but also consistent with the agreed pay packages for other employees."