Union Calls Strike

Workers in Stoke's food production are to strike for 72 hours next week in a dispute over pensions and benefits.

The Oatcake, Pikelet and Pork Pie Union (OPPU) has said its members will walk out at 4:59pm on tuesday until the same time on Friday, when they will work the remaining 1 minute of the day before going home for the weekend.

Michael Aspel supports the workers

The dispute is over union demands that all food industry workers in Stoke, including those employed by the city council involved in the production of cupcakes, pasties and sausage rolls, should be allowed to join the union and receive the same pension and benefits as their members, something the city council opposes.

OPPU general secretary Roy Harbinger said: "OPPU members have delivered a mandate for action. This dispute is about equality for workers in Stoke. Our members have no choice but to strike. That is all."

Council spokesman Ali Bongo disagrees. "A strike on this issue is about as unnecessary as another 'Transformers' movie," he says. "But, should the strike go ahead, we have plans in place to bring in emergency supplies from Wright's Pies in Crewe. No-one will go hungry in this city, not on my watch."