Jacob’s Cream Crackers and Twiglets are among the snacks said to be under threat of shortage as hundreds of factory workers are currently staging strike action.
GMB Union says that more than 750 workers at the Jacob’s Cream Crackers factory near Liverpool – which, of course, makes Jacob’s Cream Crackers, as well as Twiglets, Club bars, and a handful of other snack foods popular around the festive season – yesterday began a what is being called a “permanent strike” over anger at a real terms pay cut.
Staff at the Aintree plant have been taking limited industrial action since September in their pursuit of a pay award that “meets their claim for cost of living“, GMB Union explained.
But, as of yesterday, staff will walk out every single day until their boss agrees to negotiate.
More than 750 workers at the Jacob’s Cream Crackers factory are staging a “permanent strike”. / Credit: Jacob’s
The union said that the company also announced yesterday that it was “shifting production” of Jacob’s Cream Crackers to Portugal in what is a bid to “undermine the strike”.
ADVERTISEMENT
“These workers are rightly angry,” said Eamon O’Hearn – National Officer at GMB Union.
“They put themselves on the line to keep the company going during the pandemic, and now they need some help to get them through the cost of living crisis – but it’s falling on deaf ears, and in fact, more than that, bosses are shifting an iconic British brand to Portugal to undermine their own workers.
ADVERTISEMENT
NEW: More than 750 workers at Jacob’s cream cracker factory begin all-out strike action in dispute over pay🪧 https://t.co/F0j2AvIHBq
“This kind of naked corporate greed in the run up to Christmas is disgraceful.
“Jacob’s workers will now be on strike 24 hours a day, seven days a week until the company comes back to the negotiating table.”
A spokesperson for pladis UK&I said in response to the strike action: “As has been widely documented, the cost of doing business has increased significantly in every aspect of our operations, from rising energy costs to a wide range of pressures more broadly in our supply chain, however, we greatly value our workforce, many of whom helped to keep us going throughout the pandemic, which is why, despite these pressures, we have offered a pay rise at almost 9% over two years, in addition to an immediate £500 payment to help with the increased cost of living.
“We therefore regret that the GMB has decided to take this course of action, despite our efforts to reach an agreement with them.
“We would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that our door remains open for further discussions with the union’s representatives.”
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
Trending
Tesco announces MASSIVE recruitment drive for 28,000 extra Christmas staff
Emily Sergeant
Tesco has launched a massive festive recruitment drive, with more than 28,000 temporary roles up for grabs.
With the festive season fast approaching, and most British supermarkets having already unveiled their Christmas food and drink ranges for 2025, Tesco is gearing up for what is always one of the busiest times for the year for the retail industry by launching a massive UK-wide seasonal recruitment drive.
The jobs will mainly involve working in Tesco’s Superstores and Extra stores.
Shifts will either be early morning, day, or evening shifts, so that prospective applicants can find an opportunity that fits around them.
With a wide range of roles available, the tens of thousands of temporary staff across the UK – including here in Greater Manchester – will be tasked with serving customers, restocking shelves, and fulfilling online orders by picking, packing, and delivering.
“With the busy Christmas period ahead, we are looking for people who can bring warmth, enthusiasm, and a helpful service to every shopping trip,” commented Ela Golab, who is Tesco’s Group People Services Director.
Pay starts from £12.64 per hour, and a night premium of an additional £2.35 per hour – with plenty of different flexible shifts available.
“From turkey and mince pies to decorations and crackers, it’s a big job keeping our shelves stocked up for the nation’s celebrations,” Tesco said in a statement on its recruitment website. “That’s why we need you – you’ll help keep our shelves filled and our customers jolly.”
Tesco says ‘no day is ever the same’ and festive colleagues will be able to ‘feel the impact’ they make on every shift, as they send customers home with a smile.
No experience is ‘necessary’ for these temporary roles, Tesco says – just the ‘right attitude’.
Fancy it then? If you’re keen to join Tesco’s teams across the UK this Christmas, then head on over to the supermarket’s recruitment website here to apply, or you can pop into your nearby store for more information.
Featured Image – Tesco plc
Trending
Stockport drop first collection in County Classics retro range
Danny Jones
Stockport County have finally released the first drop in their previously teased ‘County Classics’ retro fashion collection.
The Greater Manchester football club are enjoying a great resurgence of late, currently sitting fourth in the table and unbeaten in League One, not to mention boasting three wins on the bounce; it’s a great time to be a Hatter.
Somewhat secondary, of course, but they’ve also got a great selection of well-received shirts this year, too, with all three of their 2025/26 kits inspired by a precious part of their heritage.
Clearly going down a hit, they’ve decided to double down on the nostalgia factor and reignite the vintage spirit of their famous 1996/97 campaign and THAT legendary home shirt.
Speaking on the release, County said in a club statement: “County Classics isn’t just a product range – it’s a series. A journey through time.
“Each drop will revive another era, another shirt, another story that shaped the club we love. This is more than nostalgia. It’s the heartbeat of County history, reimagined for today.”
We already can’t wait to see which iconic kit they tap into next; our money is on the 91/92 away strip that they paid homage to just last season.
Unsurprisingly, numbers of each piece have been snapped up in a flash, with supporters, rivals and neutrals alike dubbing the casual wear and retro footy shirt reissue everything from “amazing” to “sickeningly cool”, with plenty already asking for a restock.
You get a closer look at the collection in full down below.
Credit: Stockport County FC (supplied)
The retro ’90s style training line has completely sold out already, but there are still towels and bucket hats, as well as some of the retro County kit itself left.
With the ‘Back to 1996’ star priced at £50 and the likes of bucket hats costing just £20, you can expect to see plenty of Stopfordians wearing the new gear at Edgeley Park this season and, indeed, for many years to come.
If these classic football shirts and pieces of lifestyle fashion have tickled your fancy, you can see what they have left and grab your item(s) of choice right HERE.
What old County look would you like to see the club recreate next as part of the Classics range, Hatters?
Emily Sergeant -
15th November 2022 
