ASML:  Dutch multinational refuses OECD mediation in recognition dispute

Posted on February 3, 2026 by unitetheunion

OECD says Unite complaint warrants examination after company refuses to engage with union

Members to discuss options including industrial action

ASML reported nearly €33 billion in record sales last year

Trade union Unite, which organises workers at ASML in Maynooth, said today (Tuesday) that the Dutch semiconductor giant has refused an offer by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Dutch National Contact Point (NCP) to ‘use its good offices’ to mediate between Unite and the company. Unite has accepted the offer.

Last year Unite filed a notification against ASML under the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises on responsible business conduct. The OECD’s Dutch NCP concluded that the union notification, which followed ASML’s persistent refusal to recognise Unite for collective bargaining purposes, warranted further examination.

Following ASML’s refusal to avail of the NCP’s mediation offer, Unite will now convene a meeting of members in ASML to explore all avenues including industrial action.

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Time for Stormont to end exclusion of public sector from apprenticeship funding

Posted on February 2, 2026 by Unite the union NI

To mark the beginning of Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week 2026 (today, Monday 2 February), Unite has released a report highlighting the current exclusion of public bodies from funding for apprenticeships. Northern Ireland is the only region in the UK which excludes public bodies from accessing funding support arising from the Apprenticeship Levy.

The Unite research shows that the exclusion from funding for apprenticeships is coinciding with tightening budgets meaning there has been a sharp drop in the number of apprenticeships being offered by public bodies in the last year. In particular in Translink which suspended its apprenticeship programme. Although £73 million was available to support apprenticeships in 2025 only £48 million was drawn down in the year.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Apprenticeships are an investment for the future. An investment in young people who get the skills they need to succeed, an investment for the economy as a whole and an investment for our public services.

“Public services employ more than a quarter of Northern Ireland’s workforce – excluding them from apprenticeship funding is a huge missed opportunity to increase the number of places for young people. It is time for Stormont to deliver.”

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Unite launches plan to protect workers from Extreme Weather impacts

Posted on January 29, 2026 by unitetheunion

Publication of ‘Workers in the Eye of the Storm’ marks anniversary of Storm Éowyn

Union’s demands include mandatory alert-based responses and ‘climate leave’

Trade union Unite, which organises workers throughout the economy, this morning (Thursday) 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 last January 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.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Workers are literally in the eye of the storm, and we urgently need specific legislation and regulations to protect workers from the impacts of extreme weather events. Workers must not pay the price for a climate crisis not of their making.

Speaking at the launch, Unite’s Irish Secretary Susan Fitzgerald said:

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Staff at Glen Dimplex, Portadown end industrial dispute after vote to accept improved pay offer

Posted on January 15, 2026 by Unite the union NI

18 month pay deal secured providing staff grades with between six and eight per cent pay improvement

Unite members employed in staff grades at Glen Dimplex in Portadown have voted overwhelmingly to accept a significantly improved pay offer from management. The decision ends an ongoing pay dispute which has seen workers take four days of strike action in recent weeks.

The pay deal provides a consolidated uplift of £2,330 to all staff grades – worth between six and eight per cent to most workers – and will be paid over an 18 month period. This represents a considerable advance on the previous management offer of £1,825, worth between 4.5 and six per cent. Under the terms of the deal, workers paid below £30k a year will have a pay and grading review – with any increase arising backdated to the beginning of October 2025.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This result is a clear win for staff Glen Dimplex. This outcome confirms the importance of workers getting organised with Unite to secure real improvements in pay and conditions.”

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Strike action to escalates at Glen Dimplex, Portadown in pay dispute

Posted on January 5, 2026 by Unite the union NI

Glen Dimplex staff in Portadown are taking two days of strike action beginning today Monday 5th January.

The strike represents an escalation of a pay dispute which saw workers strike for one day December. Approximately 30 workers will strike across a variety of specialist roles including maintenance, engineering, quality, administrative and supervisory functions.

The strike commenced at 00:01 today and will continue until 02:00 on Wednesday [7 January] with pickets lines from 07:00 hours.

The staff voted unanimously for strike action having rejected previous inadequate pay offers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Glen Dimplex is treating its workforce with contempt, it needs to start treating its loyal workforce fairly and decently

“The workers at Glen Dimplex have the full support of their union behind them.”

Glen Dimplex staff at Portadown are seeking a pay rise to address years of imposed below-inflation settlements and restoring fair pay. The staff grades at the site – a base for the manufacture of storage heaters – secured union recognition following previous successful strike action by production workers.

Unite regional officer Neil Moore said, “Our members have returned to the picket line because of the inability of management to negotiate a resolution. The decision-makers at Glen Dimplex need to sit down and engage with Unite to find an end to this dispute and avoid the prospect of further strike escalation.”

-ENDS-

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