Job cuts at Smurfit-Westrock in Lurgan totally unjustified, Unite

Posted on September 24, 2026 by Unite the union NI
Job cuts at Smurfit-Westrock in Lurgan totally unjustified, Unite
 
Company recording bumper profits and dividends, but investment needed to modernise Lurgan site is withheld while Smurfit spends millions sponsoring Ryder Cup
Unite is warning that proposed job cuts by Smurfit-Westrock at its Lurgan site signals a first step in shutting the site entirely.
On Monday, the company announced plans to make 55 workers redundant (a third of the workforce). In talks with Unite, which represents the vast majority of the workforce, it cited cost pressures operating with old machinery. The factory is a major producer of corrugated cardboard for packaging but machinery at the plant has not been invested in for many years. Management explained to Unite that work currently conducted at Lurgan would transfer to a site in Dublin.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “There is absolutely no justification for these jobs cuts. Smurfit-Westrock is a hugely profitable company paying out hundreds of millions to shareholders every quarter.
 
“Instead of spending millions on golf tournaments, Tony Smurfit would be better off modernising his factories to future-proof his business.”

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Public sector pay: Time running out for government to make inflation-beating pay offer

Posted on September 17, 2026 by unitetheunion

Government told to stop dithering as Unite National Dispute Committee meets

Following an overwhelming mandate for industrial action, Unite’s National Dispute Committee, comprising elected shop stewards across the public sector, met today (Thursday) to finalise plans for strike action on 14 October.

The action is being coordinated by the ICTU Public Services Committee and will result in widespread disruption as workers throughout the public sector down tools in pursuit of inflation-beating pay increases.

With inflation currently running at 3.7 per cent, workers are facing an escalating cost-of-living crisis. In August, Unite’s cost-of-living tracker survey of public sector members found that a growing number have fallen behind on essential payments or been forced to borrow simply to meet household costs. See notes to editor.

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Department of economy must investigate use of agency workers at Pilgrims during strike

Posted on September 14, 2026 by Unite the union NI
Employment agency, Staffline Group plc, advertised for immediate start positions at Pilgrims after Unite wrote to raise need for compliance with agency regulations
Unite has formally complained to the department of economy’s employment agency inspectorate over Pilgrim Europe’s illegal use of agency workers during the strike at the company’s Enniskillen factory. The union has demanded the inspectorate to immediately investigate the number of agency workers being used by Pilgrims and whether they are performing duties undertaken by employees participating in industrial action.
Workers are entering their sixth week of strike action for a fair pay increase and an end to a two-tier system of paid breaks. The strike has severely impacted production at the site which produces a range of Pilgrims products, including Fridge Raiders, Richmond and Denny sausages and Mr Brains Pork faggots.
Under the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations (NI) 2005 Act, it is a criminal offence for employment agencies to supply labour to employers specifically for the purposes of covering work normally covered by employees who are taking part in lawful industrial action.
Unite wrote to Staffline Group to formally advise the agency of its responsibilities on 28 July and has now written to raise concerns with the inspectorate.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Pilgrims is desperately trying to continue production, rather than give the workers a fair pay increase. It’s illegal to bring agency workers in to cover striking workers and this matter must immediately be investigated and action taken.
Unite regional officer Greg O’Kane said: “Over the last few weeks, we know the number of workers being bussed into Pilgrims daily from Armagh has surged. In recent days, the agency posted advertisements for immediate start positions at the factory. The department of economy needs to act urgently to ensure the right of workers to undertake lawful industrial action is protected.”
Unite previously wrote to the Health and Safety Executive NI asking them to investigate concerns about Pilgrims production during the dispute on 28 August 2026.
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Pilgrims Europe workforce determined to secure fair pay increase

Posted on September 8, 2026 by Unite the union NI
Survey of workers confirms huge pressures cost of living crisis is placing on workers
Workers at Pilgrims Europe’s site in Enniskillen have entered the fifth week of strike action in their pay dispute. The dispute has severely impacted production at the site which produces a range of high-profile products including Fridge Raiders, Richmond sausages and Mr Brain’s pork faggots.
Meanwhile, a survey of members has revealed that workers are on the breadline due to poverty wages. Workers are paid as little as £12.82 an hour.
The survey revealed a staggering 81 per cent had cut back on food as a result of financial pressures. 79 per cent said they worked overtime to make ends meet and 15 per cent worked a second (or in one case a third job to get by.
Money is so tight that 39 per cent of workers have reported having to borrow from a bank or credit union, 22 per cent from friends and family and three per cent had borrowed from a loan shark.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “The results of this survey are appalling. This is a cruel irony that workers in a food factory can’t afford to feed their families. Any decent employer would ensure this grave injustice didn’t continue, this is a highly profitable company that is choosing to line its pockets while its workers go hungry.
 
“Unite will back our members at Pilgrims all the way in their battle for a fair pay increase.”
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has experienced some of the highest increases in housing prices in Northern Ireland including a 11.0 per cent annual increase on the last quarter.
Unite regional officer Greg O’Kane, said: “The strike action is sharply impacting production. Instead of trying to break the strike, Pilgrims would be better making an improved pay offer to end the dispute.”
Pilgrims Europe’s latest published accounts show an after-tax profit of £128 million.
ENDS…
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Ulster University redundancy plans offers no assurance to workforce, Unite

Posted on September 8, 2026 by Unite the union NI
Unite has responded to the Ulster University’s publication of its voluntary redundancy scheme. The union said the plan fails to provide any analysis of how cutting 450 (equivalent to 15 per cent of the workforce) would affect the quality of education, the sustainability of its four campuses or the impact on already hard-pressed workers.
The university has also failed to provide any assurances that compulsory redundancies will not follow if insufficient volunteers are accepted on the voluntary scheme.
Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said, “These job cuts fundamentally damage Ulster University. Management has paid no attention to the concerns raised by the workforce. They have been deaf to their fears that this drastic staffing cut will leave those who remain struggling to cope. It undermines the quality of education and the sustainability of the university’s multi-campus model.”

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