Workers to protest Queens café closures by Clements

Posted on April 28, 2026 by Unite the union NI

What: Emergency protest called by Unite Hospitality workers

When: Wednesday 29 April, 17:30

Where: Lanyon Gates, Queens University Belfast.

Clements is proposing closing its four café outlets at Queens University Belfast with the loss of over 30 jobs.

Unite which represents the majority of workers is challenging management on the way workers are already being directed towards the Redundancy Payments Service, raising the prospect of taxpayers picking up the bill for redundancies.

Management is refusing to engage in meaningful collective consultation with the union. The union met with Queens University to raise the workers’ concerns last Friday [24 April].

Speaking ahead of the protest, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Clements is acting like a rogue employer. It’s trying to shut up shop, avoid proper consultation and simply walk away from its responsibilities. That is totally unacceptable to Unite.” Continue reading →

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Public sector: Local bargaining claims must be addressed before talks on new deal

Posted on April 28, 2026 by unitetheunion

Inflation-busting increases vital to combat price pressures

Public sector workers will not tolerate being leapfrogged by other interests

At a meeting to decide Unite’s priorities ahead of talks on a new public sector pay deal, Unite shop stewards were adamant that outstanding issues, including local bargaining claims, must be addressed before starting negotiations on a successor to the Public Service Agreement due to expire at the end of June.

At a time when a third of Unite members in the sector have had to borrow just to make ends meet, delegates were also adamant that any new deal must deliver inflation-busting pay increases as well as addressing ongoing impositions such as the Additional Superannuation Contribution.

Over 800 Unite members in the public sector responded to a recent union survey highlighting the cost-of-living crisis facing workers.

Continue reading →

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IWMD: Government must move on Extreme Weather protections

Posted on April 28, 2026 by unitetheunion

In a statement issued to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD), trade union Unite called on the government to introduce new protections for workers during and after extreme weather events.

Earlier this year, Unite launched a new policy toolkit, In the Eye of the Storm. The document includes a summary of responses to a survey of Unite members carried out in the wake of Storm Éowyn in January 2025 together with a set of proposals designed to protect workers’ health, safety and incomes during and in the immediate aftermath of extreme weather events.  Unite’s plan also includes proposals to protect workers from extreme temperature events.

Continue reading →

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Stormont Executive must put protections for workers during extreme weather events in law

Posted on April 27, 2026 by Unite the union NI

Workplace safety protections must catch up with a transformed world of work and climate science

Ahead of International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) [Tuesday 28 April], Unite has called on the Stormont Executive to introduce legislation to protect workers from health and safety threats resulting severe extreme weather events, which are becoming increasingly common.

Last year, Unite launched the findings of a survey of its members conducted in the aftermath of storm Eowyn. This highlighted widespread unsafe practices by employers and many workers being forced to choose between losing pay or even their jobs and travelling in dangerous conditions to work during a red weather alert.

Unite general Secretary Sharon Graham said, “Stormont must get its finger out and bring forward measures to protect workers in extreme weather. It is simply unacceptable that safety laws don’t take account of extreme weather.” Continue reading →

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Unite members in Danone savour inflation-beating pay increase

Posted on April 20, 2026 by unitetheunion

Union delivers nearly nine per cent pay increase over two years plus benefits

Unite members working for Danone Nutricia in Wexford have voted overwhelmingly to accept a two year pay deal which will see pay rise by nearly nine per cent over two years.

The deal negotiated by Unite will see base pay, production bonuses and service pay increase by 4.5 per cent in 2026 and 4.3 per cent in 2027, with workers also receiving vouchers totalling €900 each year as well as free annual medicals. The agreement is backdated to 1 January 2026.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The best way for workers to combat the cost-of-living crisis is to get organised in the workplace. Once again, this deal shows that Unite’s laser focus on jobs, pay and conditions is delivering for our members.”

Danone Wexford is one of the largest manufacturing plants in the Danone specialised nutrition network.

Unite regional officer Ed Thompson said: “This is a very good outcome for our members in Danone and again demonstrates the importance of being part of a strong union.”

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