A strike by animal feed workers across mills in Suffolk and Norfolk has been called off after a pay deal was struck.

Around 150 mill workers at animal feed makers AB AGRI were due to walk out from Saturday, April 1, in a row over pay.

Unite the union had rejected a pay award of 4.5% - arguing that this fell well below inflation. The two sides have now agreed to a two-year deal worth 13%.

Workers at AB Agri's Walsingham mill in Norfolk employing around 20 workers and 30 workers at Bury St Edmunds pig and poultry compound feed factory were due to strike.

Mills at Flixborough in Lincolnshire, Sherburn in North Yorkshire, Cupar in Fife, Enstone in Oxfordshire, Cullompton in Devon and Fridaythrope in East Yorkshire were also affected.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "By standing together in their union, AB AGRI workers won a much-improved pay offer and strengthened their collective bargaining position across the company. 

"As this pay deal shows, Unite’s renewed focus on defending and improving jobs, pay and conditions gets more cash in our members’ pockets."

Workers will receive a pay rise of 4.5% back paid from October 2022, and a 1.5% one-off lump sum.

From September 2023, their pay will increase again by 5.5%, with a further 2% in January 2024. An additional day’s annual leave is also included in the deal. 

Unite regional officer Mark Jaina said the deal followed a day-long meeting on Tuesday, March 28, with managing director Dino Kiriakopoulos and his top team. A consultative ballot of members had unanimously accepted the offer.

"They are feeling positive about it - it's a big step forward," he said.

"The hard work of our reps and the solidarity of our members was essential in securing this pay deal. This result is yet another example of why those who want to improve their wages and working lives should join Unite and get their colleagues to do the same.” 

An ABN spokeswoman said: “At ABN we are committed to being an employer of choice that aims to attract and retain our employees by offering competitive packages.

"We had a productive conversation with Unite on Tuesday and agreed a way forward for all parties. We look forward to continuing to work with them."

ABN is a leading British manufacturer of pig and poultry compound feed.