After one week of strike action, union members vote overwhelmingly to accept 15.25% percent pay increase
Unite members working at flooring manufacturer Interface Europe, based in Craigavon, have voted overwhelmingly to end their strike action after receiving a much improved pay offer from management. The offer comes at the end of a first week of strike action which shutdown production at the site.
The pay offer includes a 15.25% percent fully-consolidated increase – which even with surging inflation standing at 11.7 percent according to the retail price inflation index (the measure of inflation closest to that experienced by workers) – translates into a real-terms improvement of more than three and a half percent.
Unite General Secretary congratulated her members and all involved in the successful strike action:
“This is a big win for our members working in Interface. This inflation-busting pay increase was won through militant and effective strike action which shut down production and forced bosses to share their profits with the Craigavon workforce.
“This increase was even more necessary as workers report their pay having fallen behind others in the locality. This pay increase sets the bar for workers across the board.”
Regional officer for the workers, Neil Moore, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome:
“Over recent years, Interface workers have watched their pay stagnate and fall ever further behind other workplaces. Our members have been telling us, throughout this week-long strike, that this was not only about pay, but also standing up for respect in their workplace. Whilst this pay increase will certainly improve things for our members, the company must be prepared to sit up and listen to our members from now on.”
“During the course of this strike we won the support of agency workers who the company sought to exploit in a failed attempt to break the strike. We are now looking to engage with these workers to secure real improvements to their pay and conditions of employment.”
Unite the Union, Ireland Region 
Dear all,
I am qualified community interpreter for over 13 years. We are working as self-employed for NHS, police,courts, schools and any other community sectors. It’s time for us to join the Union as our pay rate hasn’t been increased for more then 15 years. Requirements are higher, some sectors managed to decrease our pay rate. We are available 24/7. We need someones attention to it. I did various trainings and courses during this time, most of it we had to pay for as well. But no one would take care of our rights. Many interpreters are getting other jobs or second jobs to support themselves and families. Please help.
Kindly,
Mrs Lina Mikalkene
Lithuanian interpreter and translator
Lina, happy to help. First step is for you and your colleagues to join Unite – easiest way is to visit http://www.unitetheunion.org/join and it should be quick enough. Once you have joined and have a membership number – then phone our office tel. 028 90232381 and we will try to do our best.