Brits could face Ferrero Rocher shortage in big Christmas blow

Chocolate lovers are in for some tough news, as the UK is facing a Ferrero Rocher shortage over Christmas.

It's come after a union warned staff at a leading chocolate factory voted to strike, which has put people's festive goodies at risk of limitation. Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate is one of the UK’s biggest suppliers of coco products, including the makers of Ferrero Rocher.

But staff at the confectionary giant’s site in Worksop – which produces tens of thousands of tonnes of chocolate each year – have voted to take industrial action. This means our Christmas choccies may be put at risk.

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Cameron Mitchell, a regional organiser at the GMB union, told Independent: "The spectre of Christmas without this beloved yuletide treat would be devastating. That’s exactly what’s on the cards if company bosses don’t act urgently to avoid strike action.

"Workers aren’t demanding gold-wrapped pay-outs, instead they’re asking for a pay packet that covers the bills. We urge company top brass to urgently back around the table with a fair offer for our members."

It's thought over a dozen members of staff at the Nottinghamshire site are set to walk after 100% of employees balloted by the union voted to take part in industrial action. Prior to this, staff had rejected a real-terms pay cut.

It's said dates for the strike are yet to be confirmed, but should be released over the next few days.

According to Cargill, the company set up its Worksop site in 2003, which is "equipped with high precision chocolate manufacturing machines". The website reads: "At Worksop we produce (in bulk liquid form) a full range of milk and plain chocolate, while our factories in Belgium and France increase our portfolio by offering a complete range of milk, plain and white chocolate in ‘easymelt’ form.

"Various applications in the confectionery, biscuit, bakery and dairy industries, ranging from ‘stand alone’ recipes for chocolate bars to finely designed recipes which compliment the texture and taste profile of biscuits and cakes."

A spokesperson for Cargill told MailOnline: "Cargill has made a fair and market competitive offer to its employees of a 5.5% increase, plus the £1,400 one-off payment. We greatly value our employees and the work they do and are disappointed we have not yet come to a collaborative agreement with the union."

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