EMPLOYEES of Burton’s Biscuits in Cwmbran have threatened to go on strike amid a dispute over annual leave.

Members of Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU), the trade union which represents 630 of the 750 employees at the Llantarnam factory, recently voted in favour of going on strike in a ballot.

Eighty-seven per cent said they would take industrial action and 77 per cent said they would take strike action.

John James, regional secretary of BFAWU, said that the trade union had been meeting with Burton’s Biscuits and rejected an offer that would have been “detrimental to members” earlier this week.

He said that the ballot showed there was a “clear mandate” for strike action as members were “angry and upset” at the situation.

The dispute focuses on the employees being told by the company that they must take holidays of three days at Easter and four days over the Whitsun periods.

The current proposal does not impact on the factory shutdown between Christmas and New Year.

“It’s about the way the company is treating people,” said Mr James.

“We believe we had an agreement over holidays where we take four or five days over Christmas, but on March 16 we received a letter informing the union that we should be taking holidays at Easter and Whitsun and we believe that is unacceptable.

“They are entitled to take holidays when they want.”

From next Monday overtime has also been banned. There have also been disputes over ‘Production Requirement’ (PR) days, where employees are sent home if there is not enough work for them.

Mr James is due to meet with representatives later next week.

The trade union must give seven days notice before going on strike.

A spokeswoman from Burton's Biscuits said: "Burton’s Biscuit Company is disappointed that despite offering a compromise, an agreement has not been reached with Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union and its 630 members at its Llantarnam site. Whilst we appreciate these are difficult times and continue to seek a mutually acceptable resolution, we believe the actions taken by management to be an appropriate and reasonable response to challenging production circumstances."