Shoppers across Somerset have been given a fresh update after warnings that a pay dispute at Hovis could affect bread supplies across the region.
Around 60 Unite members working as distribution drivers at Hovis' Avonmouth site had been due to begin continuous strike action today (Thursday, September 24).
The industrial action was expected to affect deliveries from a depot that supplies supermarkets and retailers across the South West with Hovis products, including bread, burger buns and muffins.
Unite regional officer John Sweeney said: "After fresh negotiations, we have decided to pause industrial action to allow members to have their say on a new offer from Hovis."
The union said the planned walkout has been paused following late-night negotiations between the two sides.
Workers will now vote on the revised offer.
The dispute centres on pay and conditions.
Unite previously said drivers had been offered a three per cent pay rise, which it described as a real-terms pay cut because the current RPI rate is 3.4 per cent.
The union has also argued that workers at the company's Belfast depot receive additional benefits which are not available to employees in Avonmouth.
Responding to the dispute ahead of the planned strike action, a Hovis Bakeries spokesperson said: "Pay negotiations for some of our employees at Avonmouth started back in April and since then we've discussed several possible solutions with union representatives.
"We're disappointed that some of our employees are now planning on taking industrial action, especially given the well-publicised economic challenges facing the UK bakery sector as well as the important work that is underway to bring together Allied Bakeries with its recently acquired Hovis business.
"We believe the offer on the table is fair and responsible, amounting to a 3% salary increase for the year.
"We remain focused on reaching an agreement that works for everyone and negotiations continue with our employees and their union representatives."
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