Major supermarkets could face pizza shortages as workers at a Harrow-based supplier are set to vote on strike action.

Bakkavor Pizza, in Christchurch Avenue, Harrow, supplies pizzas to supermarket chains including Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose.

However workers will be voting if they should take strike action after months of negotiations on pay.

Last week, GMB union members took part in an indicative strike ballot, with 78 per cent of members rejecting a 6.9 per cent pay deal offer.

The union says it will now take “formal steps” for a strike ballot, which it claims could severely disrupt pizza distribution to supermarkets if approved.

One worker claims that the company is advertising an evening shift at a Newark site, with the starting salary at £12.07 an hour with free transport. In comparison GMB claims the Harrow site pays £11.14 – under the London Living Wage of £11.95 – for an equivalent role.

But Bakkavor argues this figure is incorrect and a spokesperson said: “We have asked them to correct this information as it misrepresents the actual position. Our proposed offer of £12.28 is inclusive of the pay increase and shift allowance.”

Trevlyn McLeod, GMB London region organiser, said: “It’s not a good look for a large wealthy organisation to have some workers forced to turn to food banks because their rate of pay doesn’t cover their basic living cost.

 “This decision for a GMB mandate for industrial action has not been taken lightly or without consideration by our members, they are determined to give Bakkavor the message that they want a better deal.

“Workers here believe they are worth more, they want their voices heard.

 "Now that GMB has secured a strong mandate for industrial action, it is hoped that Bakkavour Pizza at Harrow will finally recognise the value of their staff and how they have been impacted by the cost of living crisis and put forward an improved pay offer."

What has Bakkavor said?

A Bakkavor spokesperson said: “Despite the challenging economic environment, Bakkavor has been awarding strong and competitive pay increases to support its colleagues. Bakkavor believes its proposed 5.9 per cent pay award for colleagues at its Harrow pizza site is fair and highly competitive.

“The proposed offer at Harrow would continue to maintain all hourly pay rates above both the National and London Living Wage.

“This is also part of a broader package of benefits including a heavily discounted staff shop and access to a range of employee benefits including a pension scheme.”

The group continued: “The GMB membership accounts for a minority of our colleagues at the site and their views are not fully representative of the whole workforce.

“Not being able to reach an agreement with the union has resulted in pay increases being delayed.

“We have put forward a number of strong offers and engaged in an ACAS conciliation process. Bakkavor's proposed 5.9 per cent pay offer for colleagues in Harrow is both competitive in the local market and affordable to the business.

“Should the strike action go ahead, we have robust and detailed contingencies in place to prevent any service disruption for our customers through the utilisation of the spare capacity at our pizza site in Lincolnshire.”