Unite the Union, Ireland Region

Stormont Executive has no excuse for failing to deliver on basic rights for workers

Posted on June 9, 2026 by Unite the union NI

Political parties are warned that if they fail to deliver for workers they will not be forgiven

Responding to recent developments in Stormont around the Good Jobs Bill, Unite the union has demanded that the promises for workers’ rights be delivered in the current assembly term.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Most of the rights in the Good Jobs Bill are already in force in the rest of the UK. There is no excuse why these provisions should be further delayed in Northern Ireland.

“We must deliver on the promise to protect workers in precarious contracts, improve work/life balance and strengthen the ability of workers to access the benefits of union membership.” Continue reading →

Haldane-Fisher workers in Newry set to commence all out strike

Posted on June 8, 2026 by Unite the union NI

Strike follows overwhelming rejection of inadequate pay offer by workforce at company’s supply store

Members of Unite employed by Haldane-Fisher at its Newry-based central supply store are to commence all-out strike action from Wednesday June 10. The strike results from an escalating pay dispute and will see up to 40 workers walk out severely impacting the operations of the region’s leading building and timber merchant.

The strike occurs after union members voted to reject a below inflation two per cent pay increase which has been imposed by management despite Unite’s recognised status at the company.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite said, “Haldane-Fisher workers are low paid who have watched their pay fail to keep pace with inflation or increases to the bare legal minimum.

“They are determined to end a practice of having paltry pay increases imposed by management. They can count on the full support of Unite in their struggle for decent pay and respect.”

Unite regional officer Sean Smyth said: “Management’s approach to our union and our membership has been highly disrespectful. This has really angered our members and this ballot for strike action has been decisive.

“Management can still avert the severe disruption to the company’s operations across Northern Ireland. They must return to the table with a pay offer addressing our members’ legitimate pay expectations.”

Posted in Campaign for Decent Pay, Industrial disputes, Northern Ireland news, Press Releases | Tagged all-out strike, Haldane-Fisher, Newry, Sean Smyth, Sharon Graham, strike action | Leave a comment

Ambulance dispute: Labour Court proposals offer pathway forward

Posted on June 5, 2026 by unitetheunion

Unite, which represents ambulance workers throughout Ireland, has said that proposals issued yesterday (Thursday) by the Labour Court offer a pathway towards resolving the long-running dispute which saw workers take industrial action last month.

The dispute had centred on the failure to fully implement the 2020 ‘Roles and Responsibilities Review’ which recommended enhanced pay scales to reflect the fact that the qualifications, clinical responsibilities and operational duties of ambulance personnel have expanded significantly in recent years.

The new Labour Court proposals recommend significant pay increases while largely protecting ambulance workers’ terms and conditions.

Continue reading →

Posted in Industrial disputes, Press Releases, Republic of Ireland news | Tagged ambulance service, Eoin Drummey, industrial relations, Sharon Graham, Unite ROI | Leave a comment

Unite secures further recognition agreement at Seagate Technologies

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Unite the union NI

Negotiations have commenced on next year’s pay deal

Unite has concluded a third workforce recognition agreement with Seagate. The Derry/L’Derry based manufacturer is a global leader in mass data storage and employs approximately 1,400 workers in Northern Ireland.

The latest recognition deal covers the assistant’ group of the workforce – approximately 21 workers mostly in administration roles. In the last two years Unite has secured recognition deals covering manufacturing specialists and engineering specialists. The three recognition deals means that Unite has negotiation rights for almost all categories of non-management employees in the company. More than 700 workers are members of the union already and the numbers continue to expand.

General secretary Sharon Graham said, “This recognition deal completes the goal of fully organising Seagate. This is a cutting-edge manufacturer, and this outcome demonstrates the importance of trade union membership to workers across all sectors in the economy.

“Building strength in the workplace is key to deliver for members’ jobs, terms and conditions.” Continue reading →

Posted in Northern Ireland news, Press Releases | Tagged Brenda Stevenson, Derry, Seagate, Sharon Graham, union organising | Leave a comment

Ambulance dispute: Industrial action stood down following progress at Labour Court

Posted on May 22, 2026 by unitetheunion

Following significant progress in Labour Court discussions, the ongoing work-to-rule by Unite and Siptu members in the National Ambulance Service (NAS), and the 72-hour stoppage scheduled for next week, have been stood down to allow the Labour Court process to conclude.

The dispute centres on the ongoing failure to fully implement the recommendations of the McHugh/Crabtree report regarding pay and grading arrangements for frontline ambulance personnel. Those involved work as emergency medical technicians, paramedics, advanced paramedics, specialist paramedics and paramedic supervisors across the NAS.

Unite Regional Officer Eoin Drummey said:

“Our members have shown enormous unity, professionalism and determination throughout this dispute, and that collective strength has been central to bringing discussions to this stage.

“However, it is important to stress that the issues at the heart of this dispute have not disappeared, and the unions retain the right to reissue industrial action notice if a satisfactory resolution is not achieved.”