FANS of big chains including KFC, Pizza Hut and Burger King have been warned strike action could cause disruption to food supplies.
The GMB Union said the fast food chains could be impacted in the run-up to Christmas because staff at one of its suppliers could down tools.
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Best Food Logistics delivers fresh food to household favourite chains, which also includes TGI Fridays and Wagamama.
GMB Union represents around 600 workers, and is launching a strike vote due to a spat over pay with the company.
Workers rejected a 6% pay offer, which is below the current rate of inflation which stands at 9.9%.
The union said the offer wouldn’t “protect” staff against the cost of living crisis.
A total of 93% of GMB members rejected the offer, with 85% indicating they wanted to be balloted formally for industrial action.
Dates for the strike ballot will be announced in the coming days.
Nadine Houghton, GMB national officer, said: “These workers bust a gut to deliver fresh, just in time food to some of the biggest names in the business.
“Bestfood’s parent companies Booker and Tesco are making incredibly healthy profits and paying large dividends, while leaving these workers crushed by cost of living.
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“Now some of their biggest clients may well be left short this Christmas because they won’t meet GMB’s reasonable request for a pay deal that protects our members through this year and into next with a genuine cost of living increase.”
Best Food Logistics, Pizza Hut, KFC, Burger King, TGI Fridays and Wagamama were contacted for comment.
It’s not the only time big chains have faced food disruption.
KFC paused one of its weekly food offers in July because of a shortage of chicken.
Last year, it faced weeks of disruption because of food shortages.
The chain also ran out of chicken in 2018 and was forced to close more than 600 branches across the UK.
While Pizza Hut ran out of ice cream last year, and was forced to close a number of its popular ice cream factories due to supply issues.
Other companies have been locked in pay battles with workers this year too.
Employees at Budweiser, Stella Artois, Becks, Boddingtons and Export Pale Ale are on strike in response to real-terms pay cuts.
As a result, beer fans have been warned of a Christmas shortage.
A number of strikes have already happened – and are due to take place – at Royal Mail, which could threaten Christmas deliveries.
The company said it could cut as many as 10,000 roles by the end of 2023 as it forecasts an operating loss of £350million this year because of worker walk-outs.
Households have been warned that strikes at major ports could threaten Christmas present deliveries too.
While two million workers – including teachers, nurses and rail workers – could strike this winter.
