Coca-Cola workers to go on strike in London

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Unite said its members at the firm's plant in Edmonton, north London, will walk out on Wednesday, with stoppages repeated over the following weeks unless a "fairer" pay deal is made.

The move follows an 8-1 vote in favour of strikes by the 110 workers in protest at a 2% pay offer, which the union said amounted to a wage cut because it was less than half the rate of inflation.

Unite said production lines will stop because of the strike.

Regional officer Wayne King said: "Coca-Cola is one of the world's biggest brands but their stingy behaviour towards their workforce is not something they can be proud of. This company is not suffering during the recession so it is immoral of them to use the climate of austerity to foist a pay cut on their workforce.

"Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) is not playing straight on pay - a derisory deal which is only there if the workers' union recommends it is not an offer, it is an attempt to get the union involved in their swindle.

"The size of the vote in favour of action shows that the workers are just not falling for it. All the workforce is asking for is a fair deal. Unite remains fully committed to meaningful discussions, as we have been throughout this process and we hope CCE will now take the opportunity before them to settle this matter fairly."

The company said earlier this week it was "extremely disappointed" in Unite's actions, describing the pay offer as "fair" in the current climate.

"We remain open to continuing a dialogue with all our employees and with the unions in an effort to reach a constructive outcome.

"Coca-Cola Enterprises has a long-standing commitment to engaging positively with our employees and employee representatives, and we are disappointed that the unions have taken this step.

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