Coca-Cola workers' strike back on

A strike by workers at Coca-Cola Enterprise's (CCE) North London bottling plant is now "likely" next week, trade union Unite has said.

The union said talks with CCE at ACAS broke down last night "without resolution".

CCE said it was "very frustrated" that progress couldn't be made, following the talks.

A walk out is now expected on Wednesday (September 15).

Unite had previously called off two strikes that were due to take place this week, after ACAS intervened.

The dispute centres around pay. Workers at the Edmonton plant have been offered a two per cent increase, which the union has branded "derisory".

Wayne King, Unite regional officer, said: "CCE has unfortunately failed to come to these talks in good faith.

"Despite the opportunity for progress presented by the ACAS talks, CCE offered exactly the same as before - that is, a real terms pay cut."

King argued the only way to settle this dispute is for "CCE to move beyond its intransigent position and negotiate honourably with Unite".

He added: "Unite remains available for further talks, but unless CCE improves its offer next week's planned industrial action will go ahead."

A CCE spokesman said: "Talks at ACAS ended when the team from Unite left, before agreement had been reached.

"This is especially disappointing with the CCE team available to continue negotiations, and believing that further dialogue offered the prospect of a constructive outcome.

"After investing in a full day of talks, we are very frustrated that progress hasn't proved possible at ACAS."