Over 150 workers to down tools in pursuit of decent pay

Workers at Anglo Beef Processors UK (ABP) Craigavon plant, where Unite represents over 150 meat packers, trimmers, distribution, kill line and boning workers, have voted overwhelmingly to take strike action.

Unite is seeking a fair pay increase for its members who are paid a piece rate. Management’s offer of three per cent with a one-off cash payment of £100 and three per cent from April 2026, would amount to a real terms pay cut. The strike will see shortages in beef and lamb on the shelves of many supermarkets, including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Aldi and Iceland. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “ABP’s success has been built by workers.  The company can well afford to pay a decent pay increase but instead is choosing to squeeze our members’ living standards to maximise profits.

“The ABP workers at Craigavon can count on Unite’s full support in their fight for fair pay.”

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.

All out strike action by the workers will commence from 00.01am on Monday 27October.

Regional officer Sean Smyth said: “If ABP management wants to avoid severe disruption of their Craigavon plant, they need to return to the negotiating table and agree a fair deal for members.”