Banbury chocolate factory workers get a 10 per cent pay rise

Barry Callebaut’s Banbury factory produces chocolate and cocoa products for a number of high-profile companies including Cadbury, Nestle and Mars.

Unite the Union secured the deal with the factory which processes chocolate on its Wildmere Road, Banbury site. The deal affects around 200 workers.

The one-year deal pay deal means the workers, who are production operatives and technicians, will see their salaries, bonuses and pensions increase by ten per cent.

The deal was secured without the need for industrial action.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “When employers can afford to put forward a decent pay rise, we are determined to ensure that they do.

"Once again, Unite’s total focus on boosting jobs, pay and conditions has delivered for our members. This deal could not have been achieved without the efforts of our representatives at Barry Callebaut and the support of Unite members.”

Unite regional officer Chris Moon said: “This pay deal represents a fair and equitable increase to keep our members’ earnings in line with the cost-of-living crisis pressures they are facing. It also recognises the company’s strong performance following Covid and the loyalty of its workforce throughout that difficult period.”

Barry Callebaut runs a Chocolate Academy Center in Banbury which provides customers, global and local food manufacturers, as well as artisans and professional chocolatiers, with improved facilities and support for training.

The Chocolate Academy is a hub for exploring and innovating on the latest trends, techniques and recipes in chocolate, helping to meet growing demand for innovative and high-quality chocolate products in the UK.