Cranswick Country Foods' GMB members strike over pay
Some workers at an East Yorkshire food factory have walked out in a dispute over new terms and conditions.
About 60 of 1,200 staff at Cranswick Country Foods meat processing plant in Preston, near Hull, picketed the site.
Managing director, Chris Aldersley, said the company changed its butchery production in June to make it more efficient, which led to the dispute.
The GMB Union said workers faced a wage cut of more than 20% and had not had a pay rise for eight years.
Dave Oglesby, of the GMB, said its members were "totally dissatisfied" with the way they were being treated.
"Cranswick have issued notice to GMB members to terminate their contracts of employment and re-engage them on far inferior terms," Mr Oglesby said.
Cranswick Country Foods owns several food plants and has contracts with Simply Sausages, Weight Watchers, Jamie Oliver and Reggae Reggae.
Mr Aldersley said the UK's meat processing industry was currently experiencing difficulties.
"The terms and conditions offered are extremely favourable and would be some of the highest that would be seen within the country," said Mr Aldersley.
He said the company, which is based in the east of Hull, had been in discussions with staff since May and the majority had now signed up to the new terms and conditions.
He added the company was hoping it could work through the issue.