Lowest-paid to see 7.2% uplift this year

Deal sends strong signal to new Smurfit WestRock combination

Trade union Unite, which represents workers in WestRock’s Westport facility in Mayo, today (Sunday) announced that members have voted to accept a two-year pay deal worth up to 10.2% over two years. 

The agreement negotiated at the Workplace Relations Commission will see the lowest paid group of workers receive a 7.2% pay increase this year.

The deal includes an additional day of annual leave, as well as a commitment to recognise long service in the 2026 pay talks.  The company has also agreed to review sick leave arrangements.

Based in the US, WestRock is one of the world’s largest paper and packaging companies.  Last autumn Irish-based multinational Smurfit-Kappa announced a planned merger with Westrock, due to be completed in July this year.  The deal is reported to be worth over $21 billion and the new entity, which will be the largest listed global packaging company by revenue, will trade as Smurfit WestRock.

Commenting, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

“This is a strong result for our members in WestRock, especially for the lowest paid workers who will see their pay increase by 7.2% this year.  Once again, it’s clear that the best way for workers to put an end to poverty pay is to get organised in Unite”.

Regional officer James McCabe added:

“This deal is the result of strong workplace organisation and the hard work put in by our union reps.  It sends a strong signal to the new Smurfit WestRock:  Unite is determined to defend and advance our members’ terms and conditions.  We will continue working to improve provisions for long-serving staff secure improvements in sick pay and other entitlements”.