Unite launches plan to protect workers from Extreme Weather impacts

Posted on January 29, 2026 by unitetheunion

Publication of ‘Workers in the Eye of the Storm’ marks anniversary of Storm Éowyn

Union’s demands include mandatory alert-based responses and ‘climate leave’

Trade union Unite, which organises workers throughout the economy, this morning (Thursday) launched a new policy toolkit, In the Eye of the Storm. The document includes a summary of responses to a survey of Unite members carried out in the wake of Storm Éowyn last January together with a set of proposals designed to protect workers’ health, safety and incomes during and in the immediate aftermath of extreme weather events.  Unite’s plan also includes proposals to protect workers from extreme temperature events.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Workers are literally in the eye of the storm, and we urgently need specific legislation and regulations to protect workers from the impacts of extreme weather events. Workers must not pay the price for a climate crisis not of their making.

Speaking at the launch, Unite’s Irish Secretary Susan Fitzgerald said:

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Staff at Glen Dimplex, Portadown end industrial dispute after vote to accept improved pay offer

Posted on January 15, 2026 by Unite the union NI

18 month pay deal secured providing staff grades with between six and eight per cent pay improvement

Unite members employed in staff grades at Glen Dimplex in Portadown have voted overwhelmingly to accept a significantly improved pay offer from management. The decision ends an ongoing pay dispute which has seen workers take four days of strike action in recent weeks.

The pay deal provides a consolidated uplift of £2,330 to all staff grades – worth between six and eight per cent to most workers – and will be paid over an 18 month period. This represents a considerable advance on the previous management offer of £1,825, worth between 4.5 and six per cent. Under the terms of the deal, workers paid below £30k a year will have a pay and grading review – with any increase arising backdated to the beginning of October 2025.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This result is a clear win for staff Glen Dimplex. This outcome confirms the importance of workers getting organised with Unite to secure real improvements in pay and conditions.”

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Strike action to escalates at Glen Dimplex, Portadown in pay dispute

Posted on January 5, 2026 by Unite the union NI

Glen Dimplex staff in Portadown are taking two days of strike action beginning today Monday 5th January.

The strike represents an escalation of a pay dispute which saw workers strike for one day December. Approximately 30 workers will strike across a variety of specialist roles including maintenance, engineering, quality, administrative and supervisory functions.

The strike commenced at 00:01 today and will continue until 02:00 on Wednesday [7 January] with pickets lines from 07:00 hours.

The staff voted unanimously for strike action having rejected previous inadequate pay offers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Glen Dimplex is treating its workforce with contempt, it needs to start treating its loyal workforce fairly and decently

“The workers at Glen Dimplex have the full support of their union behind them.”

Glen Dimplex staff at Portadown are seeking a pay rise to address years of imposed below-inflation settlements and restoring fair pay. The staff grades at the site – a base for the manufacture of storage heaters – secured union recognition following previous successful strike action by production workers.

Unite regional officer Neil Moore said, “Our members have returned to the picket line because of the inability of management to negotiate a resolution. The decision-makers at Glen Dimplex need to sit down and engage with Unite to find an end to this dispute and avoid the prospect of further strike escalation.”

-ENDS-

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Strike action at Glen Dimplex, Portadown over pay

Posted on December 11, 2025 by Unite the union NI

Staff members employed by Glen Dimplex at Portadown will participate in a one-day strike action on Monday [15 December].

The strike involves approximately 30 workers across a variety of specialist roles including maintenance, engineering, quality, administrative and supervisory functions. The strike will commence from 00.01 on Monday [15 December] continuing until 0200 on Tuesday [16 December] with pickets on both gates forming from 07:00 hours.

The staff voted unanimously for strike action having rejected an insulting 45 pence pay offer.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Glen Dimplex’s pay offer is pathetic and amounts to a large real-terms pay cut for staff. Our members are determined to secure a decent pay deal and they have the full support of Unite behind them.”

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Christmas shortages of Guinness Zero as strikes at Diageo plant in Belfast back on after workers reject substandard pay offer

Posted on December 9, 2025 by Unite the union NI

Empty shelves could greet shoppers looking for Guinness Zero this Christmas after Unite members at Diageo in Belfast voted overwhelmingly to reject an inadequate pay offer from management and to take strike action.

Around 90 workers will commence an eight-day strike from 7am on Friday 12 December continuing until the early hours of Saturday 29 December. A previous eight-day strike was due to commence on Friday 5 December but was suspended by workforce reps to allow consideration of the new pay offer made the day before.

The strike will shut down the site which is the world’s largest producer of Guinness Zero cans. The workers are seeking a pay deal ending the pay gap with Diageo’s site in Runcorn, England.

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