Pancake Tuesday could be under threat in Northern Ireland after bakery workers went on strike this morning.
For the first time in decades, staff at Allied Bakeries in east Belfast walked out over a 3% pay claim.
The factory, which makes goods such as Kingsmill bread, is part of the Associated British Foods company that owns several brands including Primark.
A Kingsmill truck stopped at the factory gates where workers were demonstrating with placards early today.
— Unite the Union NI (@UniteunionNI) February 16, 2020
A representative of the Unite trade union said they would be speaking to people outside supermarkets in a bid to get them to boycott buying products made at the bakery.
This includes pancakes which will be in demand ahead of Shrove Tuesday on February 25th.
Unite says the offer of a 3% increase in pay by the firm is "derisory" amid a payout of £4.5m in bonuses to directors.
Earlier today, Allied Bakeries told the BBC: “All those involved within this ballot are paid at rates above the Living Wage Foundation’s recommended UK hourly rate and provided with a range of in-work benefits, including life insurance and pension provision.”
