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Strike action was due to start this week at Chesapeake's Bradford and Newcastle sites, with the relationship between the company and Amicus at an all time low.

Local MPs have now added their voice to the dispute, which is over new terms and conditions, and staff not receiving a 2.49% pay award. The disputes centre on Field Packaging Bradford and Field First Newcastle.

Amicus national officer Vernon Robson said there was "no likelihood of talks" in the near future, and accused Chesapeake of having a "confrontational attitude".

A spokesman for Chesapeake said: "Changes to working practices, already in place at several other Field locations, have been put in place to ensure we have the flexibility to respond to changes in customer demand."

The spokesman added that over 96% of employees at Field Packaging Bradford had signed their acceptance to the new terms and conditions.

As PrintWeek went to press, strike action was due to start on Wednesday (13 December) and will take place every Wednesday indefinitely with short stoppages on every shift. An overtime ban is also in place.

Chesapeake said that it had been notified of "very limited industrial action" at Bradford and Newcastle. The company added that the action would not affect its customers.

Chesapeake also played down claims from Amicus that there were issues affecting other sites. At Nottingham, Robson said that a ballot was "likely", following a dispute over shifts.

Local union discussions are also at a very early stage at Field's gravure site in Bradford, according to Chesapeake's spokesman.

Meanwhile, three Bradford MPs have issued a joint statement over the dispute. Gerry Sutcliffe, Terry Rooney and Marsha Singh have all called on Chesapeake to enter into "further negotiations".

They said: "Field Packaging is a major employer in the city and one with a history of good industrial relations and partnerships with the trade unions."

Dispute update
- Strike action at Field's Newcastle and Bradford sites begins
- Unrest reported at Field's Nottingham site and its gravure site in Bradford
- Bradford MPs urge Field management to "go back to the negotiating table"

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