Strikes start today at Coca Cola bottling plant

Strike action at Coca Cola Enterprises' (CCE) North London bottling plant could mean four million fewer bottles of Coke being produced this month.

Unite, the trade union representing striking workers at CCE's Edmonton plant, cited the potential production losses as a series of stoppages began today in a dispute over pay.

The union said the industrial action could escalate unless the company improves its two per cent pay offer.

Jennie Formby, Unite's national officer, said: "Frustrated workers are turning off the taps at this Coca Cola bottling plant. They deserve a pay deal that reflects the true cost of living. With pre-tax profits up by 12 per cent to £617.9m in 2009 and projections of better-than-expected results this year, the company can easily afford a fairer deal."

"We are very concerned by the lack of commitment from Coca Cola Enterprises to reaching a deal on this issue and the refusal to consider a compromise at ACAS last week, instead choosing to reissue the previous proposal."

Workers would become even more frustrated and the dispute could escalate unless CCE engaged "more positively" with the union, she added.

Unite said its members at the plant had voted eight to one to reject CCE's pay deal.

The strikes, which will take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays until the end of this month, will see limited working during day and night shifts and no production at all between 3pm and 9pm.

Responding to the strike, a CCE spokeswoman said: "We are expecting industrial action to take place at our Edmonton site today. This is disappointing as we remain open to further dialogue with all our employees and the union.

"We continue to believe this offers the prospect of a constructive outcome, and that the pay offer we have made is fair in the current climate.

"CCE has plans in place to ensure that any industrial action does not disrupt the high quality of service we always aim to deliver for our customers."