A RISCA cleaner who will be among dozens going on strike at a Rogerstone food factory this week says morale is the worst it’s been in his 24 years working there.

Dai Mort, 48, will be one of up to 100 shop floor workers at RF Brookes staging an all-out strike on Thursday and Friday. It comes after a compromise could not be reached during a last-ditch meeting with factory bosses today.

Mr Mort says staff are aggrieved over proposed changes to workers’ terms and conditions, including:

• Removing the night shift allowance;

• Having to work more bank holidays;

• Introducing lower overtime rates;

• The lowest hourly rate being increased for over 25s only in line with the UK government’s national living wage.

Mr Mort, who will be going on strike for the first time, estimates he will lose out on around £1,500 a year because of the changes – which would cut his annual salary by 11 per cent.

He said: “It’s unfortunate it’s come to this stage but we’ve got no other choice.

“They’ve got a good workforce there and there’s a lot expected to lose up to £5,000 a year – a quarter of their pay.

“[Morale’s] been dreadful – the worst it’s been in the 24 years I can remember. There’s a lot of people finishing every week to find other jobs.”

John James, regional secretary of the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union, says the factory’s plans include making Boxing Day and New Year’s Day normal working days.

“The strike action is in response to the decision by the company to enforce terms and conditions on employees by issuing notice that they intend to dismiss hourly paid employees by making them redundant and taking them on, on the new terms and conditions," he added.

“The company have stated that this is as a result of trying to introduce standard terms and conditions, but had previously stated that this is as the result of the introduction of the so called national living wage.”

A Brookes Avana spokesman previously said: "We are keen to continue talks with colleagues so that we can reach a satisfactory outcome for all parties.

"We had hoped that industrial action could be avoided while talks are ongoing, however we have put contingency plans in place to ensure production remains unaffected during strike action.

"Our number one priority is securing a better future for everyone at the site."