Unite members at ABP declare victory after determined industrial action yields results

Improved offer secures no change to start times, RPI plus (forecasted) uplift for two years, payslip transparency and opens mediated negotiations on improvements to holiday pay, toilet breaks and finish times

In Unite the union workplace ballot 94 percent vote to accept management offer secured through negotiations following twenty-four hour strike action at Lurgan site

Unite Regional Officer Brian Hewitt congratulated members at ABP Meats in Lurgan who won a clear-cut victory by taking resolute strike action:

“Today’s vote by our members was overwhelming at 94 percent and reflected the clear-cut nature of the vastly improved pay offer made by ABP management. Through adopting a willingness and determination to engage in collective action, including a first twenty-four hour stoppage the main objectives were won. This is a clear victory for workers.

“The pay deal accepted today will see an uplift to pay of 5.2% over two years – that matches the current rate of inflation as measured by the retail price index over the period. That should mean that workers see no diminution of their pay in real terms. At the same time, management plans to bring forward start times for shifts – which had resulted in huge levels of concerns among parents and carers given its impact on their ability to provide cover for care responsibilities – have been smashed.

“During the course of the strike action, it became clear that workers had wider concerns and these too have been addressed by this pay deal. We won essential changes to payslips which will make them fully transparent, an essential in this industry as it’s based on piece work. What is more, management has agreed to enter into LRA-mediated discussions with workforce representatives on a range of issues of concern to them – this includes holiday arrangements, toilet breaks and finish times.

“I want to congratulate the workforce on securing this outcome. They have once again demonstrated the power of a union and of workers when they take a resolute collective stand. Unite officials and organisers will continue to engage with members at ABP Meats to ensure that all commitments entered into by management are fully delivered upon. We hope that this resolution to the industrial dispute offers a solid basis for our future and positive engagement with management to the benefit of our members”, Mr Hewitt concluded.