Shoppers have been warned they could face Weetabix shortages as union chiefs accused the firm of using “fire and rehire” tactics to slash workers’ pay.
The Unite union is balloting more than 70 engineers at the company’s two Northamptonshire factories over possible strike action.
It follows a dispute over what Unite claims are plans to “fire and rehire” workers on “vastly inferior” contracts, resulting in pay being cut by up to £5,000 a year in some cases.
Unite regional officer Sean Kettle said: “Unite will not sit idly by and allow our members to be fired and rehired.
What is your view? Have your say in the comment section
“Our members play an essential role in keeping the Weetabix plants operating and to treat them in such an offhand manner in order to simply boost profits is disgraceful.
“If a strike occurs it will undoubtedly disrupt production of Weetabix and result in shortages in shops.”
The ballot for strike action opens on Thursday and closes on June 3.
Like news? Get the best of the day's updates by signing up the Mirror's email newsletter
If workers vote for strike action then stoppages will begin next month.
The Mirror on Monday revealed hundreds of staff at Argos risk losing up to £4,000 a year as the retailer became the latest in a string of big firms to resort to “fire and rehire” tactics to cut costs.
A Weetabix Food Company spokesman said: “We’ve worked hard to remain competitive, and we’ve a responsibility to all of our teams to continue to do so.
“We’ve been in close consultation with our employees and their local union representatives to implement new ways of working.”
Other businesses accused of using “fire and rehire” plans include British Airways, British Gas, bus firm Go North West and coffee company Jacobs Douwe Egberts.
Weetabix, founded in 1932, was bought by US firm Post Holdings in 2017 for £1.4billion.
