Hovis delivery drivers are to strike indefinitely from Thursday, threatening bread shortages across the South West and West Midlands

From the Newshound archive · first published 22 September 2026 · last updated 23 September 2026.

Around 60 Unite members at the Avonmouth depot near Bristol will begin an open-ended strike on September 24 over a pay dispute, putting supplies of Hovis loaves, burger buns and muffins at risk of disappearing from shelves. Hovis has offered a 3% pay rise, but workers argue this amounts to a real-terms cut given that RPI stands at 3.4%. They are also seeking parity with Belfast depot staff, who already receive a 2p-per-product commission and a 50% holiday premium rate across five bank holidays.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham accused Hovis owner Associated British Foods — which posted £1.73 billion adjusted operating profit — of 'prioritising greed'.

Bristol workers say they are being treated as second-class compared to Belfast colleagues who received the enhanced deal on top of the same basic offer.

Hovis insists its offer is 'fair and responsible' and says it does not anticipate 'significant or lasting shortages', with plans in place to protect retail customers.