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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Public sector craftworkers serve strike notice in pay equity fight

Posted on September 4, 2026 by unitetheunion

Workers seeking restoration of pre-crash analogue agreement

Unite said today (4 September) that it has served three weeks’ notice of industrial action on the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA).

Unite is part of a coordinated campaign by the Public Sector Craft Group of Unions (PSCGOU) in the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to secure restoration of the analogue agreement. The agreement, which ensured pay parity between craftworkers in the public sector and comparators in the private sector, was suspended following the 2008 financial crash.

A recent ballot by PSCGOU affiliates, including Unite, returned a 95 per cent aggregate vote in favour of industrial action.

The nature and timing of the action will be determined by the PSCGOU National Strike Committee. The industrial action could begin as soon as 28 September.

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Pilgrims workers begin all-out strike over pay in Enniskillen

Posted on September 1, 2026 by Unite the union NI
Escalating industrial dispute will impact supply of some leading UK brands Fridge Raiders, Richmond Sausages and Mr Brains Pork Faggots
Unite which represents approximately 130 workers employed by Pilgrims Europe at its Enniskillen production facility has announced it will begin all out (continuous) strike action beginning at 06.30 Wednesday 2 September.
This marks a sharp escalation of the industrial dispute and follows three weeks of strikes.
Workers are seeking a decent pay increase and an end to the current regime where morning shift workers are the only shift workers not getting fully paid breaks. The lowest paid workers receive an hourly rate of £12.82 – only eleven pence above the minimum wage. Pilgrims Europe’s latest reported after-tax profit was £128 million.
The site produces a range of leading UK and Irish food brands including Fridge Raiders, Richmond Sausages, Mr Brains Pork Faggots, Denny sausages (Republic of Ireland), Rollover sausages (sold at football grounds) and vegan sausages. Fridge raiders are one of the most successful Pilgrims products and are targeted at lunchboxes and for younger consumers.

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