Workers to be balloted after management fails to agree meat packers cost of living pay claim

Unite has notified Anglo Beef Processors UK (ABP) of a forthcoming strike ballot at the company’s Craigavon plant. The ballot will open on Thursday 25 September and closes on Tuesday 13 October. Unite represents more than 150 meat packers, trimmers, distribution, kill line and boning workers on the site.

Unite is seeking a cost-of-living pay increase for its members who are paid a piece rate. Management have offered 3.2 per cent to the workforce with a one-off cash payment of £100 – a real-terms pay cut. This offer was overwhelmingly rejected by workers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, said: “ABP food group is a highly successful company whose success is built by its workers. It can fully afford to pay a decent pay increase but has prioritised profits over people.

“The ABP workers at Craigavon can count on the full support of Unite in their fight for a cost of living pay increase.”

Regional officer Sean Smyth said: “Strike action will inevitably cause severe disruption at ABP. Management needs to return to the negotiating table and deliver an offer that meets their legitimate pay needs.”

ENDS…

Note for editors: ABP UK is part of ABP Foods group whose most recent accounts [for 2023] reported revenue increasing 75 percent to €624.8 million with gross profits of €68.6 million and net pre-tax profits of more than €4 million. €5.3 million in dividends was paid by the group in the year.