Workers walk off the job at Dr. Oetker plant, demanding consistent pay

Early Wednesday morning, 251 workers at Dr. Oetker Ltd. plant in southeast London walked off the job, demanding consistent annual pay increases for employees. 

The Germany-based company, which manufactures and sells frozen pizza and desserts, had proposed offering different classes of workers different pay increases, according to United Food and Commercial Workers Local 175 representative Fred Teeple. 

"The management team here and the members butt heads quite a bit, you know, creating a toxic environment," he said, adding that it's one the issues the union wants addressed. 

Teeple said that on Feb. 12, Dr. Oetker representatives put an offer on the table, which the workers found unsatisfactory. This led to the strike on Wednesday with dozens picketing near Bradley Ave., and many carrying placards, playing music and chanting slogans. 

"A strike is not something you want to have to do," said Teeple. 

"Sometimes it works out for you, sometimes it doesn't, but at the end of the day, I'm hoping that this group is able to get what they're looking for," he added.

Teeple said that there are no timelines or next steps but hopes Dr. Oetker will offer something that workers will be happy with. 

According to the director of the union, Sam Caetano, 56 per cent of the employees rejected Dr. Oetker's offer of varying pay increases for staff. 

"There are some members that felt that the agreement was a good agreement and voted in favour," said Caetano. "However, the majority did not." 

"Usually on the first day, you get some mixed feelings on the line and I was there last night from 12:01 a.m. till seven in the morning and everyone seemed to be in good spirits."

Caetano said most workers on strike are making $20 per hour but some can also make as much as about $38 per hour. 

CBC News reached out to the company for comment, but they did not immediately respond.