Dozens of workers from the Quorn factory in Billingham have gone on strike over pay.

They marched through Stokesley to the Quorn head office today (Thursday, October 20) in a bid to reignite talks after rejecting a four per cent pay offer plus a one-off payment of £1,000.

The workers are seeking a nine per cent pay rise, which was the RPI inflation rate in April when negotiations first began.

Unite says Quorn’s gross profits for 2021 were £88.9million, while parent company Monde Nissin brought in record revenues of more than £1billion during the same period.

Quorn’s highest paid director took home around £1.5million and a striking worker said factory staff ‘weren’t asking for a massive pay rise, but just want to support our families’ during the cost of living crisis.

The Northern Echo: Quorn Billingham factory Picture: Sarah CaldecottQuorn Billingham factory Picture: Sarah Caldecott (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

The workers are also unhappy that ten colleagues were informed they were being made redundant via a telephone call just ten minutes before a scheduled meeting over pay.

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After talks broke down, Unite union’s 62 members in Quorn production, maintenance and in the laboratory voted for strike action.

The workers are vital in the production of the meat-free paste used in Quorn products.

One of those on the picket line, who has worked for the firm for 18-years but is now being made redundant, said: “There are people in this group who have been with this company for 20 or 30 years and we have put our heart and soul into it.

“When the new management turned up, they didn’t realise that this group is the heart and soul and there is no one else like us who actually produces the Quorn paste.

“It is disappointing to be honest that the managers don’t seem to appreciate what we put into it.”

The Northern Echo: Quorn strikers on the picket line outside the Billingham factory Picture: Sarah CaldecottQuorn strikers on the picket line outside the Billingham factory Picture: Sarah Caldecott (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

He added: “The redundancy was a shock as I’m a few years off retiring.

“I have worked with some great people, all this group are great people, but suddenly I’m wondering if I’m actually one of the lucky ones because it means I won’t have to work with this management.”

Another striking worker said: “I am devastated, really saddened over what it has come to.

“All of us out here, it’s like a band of brothers isn’t it?

“Morale is high on the picket line but since the new management came in, they have just tried to degrade us.”

The worker also described the way that ten staff were made redundant over the phone as ‘brutal’.

A colleague added: “In the 17-years since I have been here, this place was like a family.

“People wanted to come here and the only way you could get a job was if someone retired, but it has all broken down now.

“The one good thing about this picket is that it has brought the workers’ family back together; we are all in.”

The Northern Echo: Quorn strikers on the picket line outside the Billingham factory Picture: Sarah CaldecottQuorn strikers on the picket line outside the Billingham factory Picture: Sarah Caldecott (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Fazia Hussain-Brown, regional officer for Unite, joined workers on the Stokesley march and on the Billingham picket line as the rain lashed down on the striking staff.

She said that Quorn management ‘had no idea’ of the expertise of its workers and did not value their unique skills nearly enough.

“These guys don’t just push a button,” said Fazia. “They are doing something that nobody else does in the world.

“These guys know how the paste should feel, how it should smell; they can tell the difference and they take pride in it.

“You have your Birdseye and your Linda McCartney but Quorn is better and that’s because of these workers.”

And Fazia said that the huge profits posted by Quorn and its parent company show that the firm can afford to pay its production staff more.

She said: “There’s a £1.7million package for the CEO this year so we believe there is affordability there; the company can pay but they are making a choice not to.

“And what we’re seeing here on this picket line is resilience and strength.

“These guys are very clear, we will stay out here as long as we need to until we get a better deal.”

The Northern Echo: Quorn strikers on the picket line outside the Billingham factory Picture: Sarah CaldecottQuorn strikers on the picket line outside the Billingham factory Picture: Sarah Caldecott (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

The Billingham action is being supported by members of the International Union of Food Workers (IUF) who are protesting at the Manila headquarters of Quorn's parent company Monde Nissin.

IUF regional secretary, Hidayat Greenfield, said: “Monde Nissin earned just over £1billion last year, profits made by the hard work of these workers, so this company absolutely has the money for a proper pay rise.

"Our members in the Philippines are proud to be protesting outside Monde Nissin’s headquarters in support of the workforce and their fight for fair pay.”

Quorn representatives have been contacted for a response.

The Northern Echo: Strike outside the Billingham Quorn factory Picture: Sarah CaldecottStrike outside the Billingham Quorn factory Picture: Sarah Caldecott (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

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