There are set to be bread shortages in supermarkets and retail outlets throughout the South West and reaching into the West Midlands as approximately 60 Hovis distribution drivers are set to strike indefinitely in a pay dispute.
The workers are based at the Avonmouth, Bristol site, which supplies shops in the region with Hovis products including bread and other bakery items such as burger buns and muffins. Thousands of loaves of bread are made at the site each hour.
Pay dispute centres on benefits
Staff have been offered a three per cent pay rise, which is a real terms pay cut, with the current RPI standing at 3.4 per cent.
However, workers at the Belfast depot have also been offered additional benefits on top of this, including a commission of two pence per product for all items sold and a holiday premium rate of an additional 50 per cent of the contracted basic hourly rate for those who work over five designated holidays including Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. The Bristol workers are seeking the same enhancements.
Continuous strike action to begin
Unite members at Hovis will walk out in a continuous strike from this Thursday (24 September). Strikes will lead to shops in the South West and as far as the West Midlands being left without Hovis products.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Hovis is owned by an incredibly profitable company and can more than afford to pay the same rates to its Avonmouth workers.
“Instead of favouring one group, it needs to stop prioritising greed and extend benefits to other workers. Our members have their full support in their fight for a fair deal.”
In July, Associated British Foods (ABF) acquired Hovis in a deal worth around £75 million. ABF’s annual report released in September 2025 showed it had an adjusted operating profit of 1.73 billion.
Unite regional officer John Sweeney said: “We know shoppers will be concerned to hear of bread shortages, but it is entirely the fault of Hovis who has come up with this half-baked pay offer.
“Our members believe the only action that will ensure the business gets back around the table and has meaningful dialogue is strike action. Hovis can prevent this disruption but that relies on it coming back to talks, with a meaningful offer.”
