Frontline Meatpackers at ABP Craigavon who continued to work despite Covid-19 pandemic threat to sector left deeply angered over threat to pull premium of a mere tenner a day

Workers continue to face extra Covid costs due to lack of childcare and fears over using public transport

Unite the union Regional Officer Brian Hewitt slammed a communication sent by the Chief Executive Officer Bob Carnell to ABP workers to tell them that management at the company planned to end the Employee Assistance Fund/Scheme, initiated on March 30^th, on Sunday June 21^st.

“The communication to workers by the Chief Executive of ABP UK is nothing short of a blatant act of corporate greed. Like those everywhere else in this sector, the workers at ABP Meats are poorly-paid but throughout the Covid pandemic crisis, day after day, they continued to present for work.

“Globally Covid-19 has infected tens of thousands of meatpackers and outbreaks have occurred across meat processing plants across Northern Ireland but while the likes of Bob Carnell were safely cocooned, these workers were at the lines ensuring vital food supplies. Is such a contribution so easily forgotten?

“The letter speaks of the ‘significant cost to the business’ incurred by paying workers an extra tenner a day. I doubt Mr Carnell has much idea of what an extra £10 a day means to low paid workers so the decision to remove it is just another business consideration to him. This business is part of the ABP group which made €170 million in profits last year – this is not a business which needs to slap its workers in the face like this.

“While thankfully the first peak has passed, there are still very genuine fears in the meat sector globally and the pandemic is still costing our members money. Mr Carnell excuses his move by telling workers that ‘as lockdown eases… public transport and other retail / consumer services resume’ but they live the reality of real problems getting childcare. There’s still real fear about travelling on public transport and fewer seats given the need to ensure continued social distancing.

“The scrapping of this meagre payment is all about protecting the company’s bottom line – for shareholders and ensuring the Executives continue to receive huge bonuses. There is a very real sense of anger among the workforce who feel that bosses only want to exploit them. We are demanding that no deductions are made to our members’ take home pay”, Mr Hewitt concluded.