Linamar workforce votes to accept improved pay deal

Posted on September 22, 2025 by Unite the union NI

Workers at Linamar’s Belfast site have voted to accept an improved two year pay deal.

The light metal manufacturer improved its original pay offer following a strike ballot. Workers will receive an improved pay offer in the first year with a RPI tied payment of between 3 and 4 percent in the second year. The deal also includes provision for an enhanced retirement payment and a reduction in waiting time to access the company’s sick pay.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary said, “Members have voted decisively to accept this significantly improved offer. It was obtained through the strength of the union in the workforce. Unite is delivering for our members on jobs, pay and conditions.”

Unite represents approximately 300 workers at Linamar, Belfast.

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Workers set to strike at Collins Aerospace, Kilkeel

Posted on September 19, 2025 by Unite the union NI

Unite members at Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel, County Down a leading manufacturer of aircraft interiors and seating will commence a first one day strike from midnight on Friday 26 September. Workers at the site are seeking a cost-of-living pay increase maintaining their skills while differential with rises to the minimum wage.

Workers have voted overwhelmingly for strike action.

Sharon Graham Unite general secretary said, “Collins Aerospace workers are highly skilled and deserve to be paid fairly for the work they do. They can count on the full support of Unite in their strike for fair pay.”

Last week workers at the site overwhelmingly rejected as inadequate a management two-year pay deal offering 4.5 per cent and four per cent with a one-off payment of £1,350.

Unite regional officer Neil Moore said: “Strike action will cause huge disruption to Collins and its customers. Management needs to recognize the determination of their employees to secure a pay deal that delivers respect and adequately reflects their skills. The clock is counting down on a strike.

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Strike ballot at ABP meats in Craigavon

Posted on September 18, 2025 by Unite the union NI
Strikers at ABP meats in 2019

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.”

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Minister must end unsafe staffing at NI ambulance control centre, Unite

Posted on September 17, 2025 by Unite the union NI

Three workers left to answer 999 calls from across the entire region, reporting up to 82 calls on hold

Unite is warning the staffing crisis in Northern Ireland’s ambulance service is pushing workers beyond breaking point. Members working at the Emergency Operations Control Centre in Knockbracken contacted the union to report that for the second night in a row there were only three emergency medical dispatchers on duty along with a supervisor. Control centre staff answer 999 callers from across Northern Ireland and it is meant to have a staffing complement of 10.

The workers reported that because of the acute staffing shortage, at one point there were 82 emergency calls on hold.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “Staffing shortages are creating a dangerous situation throughout Northern Ireland. The failure to act is putting lives at risk and pushing ambulance staff beyond their breaking point.”

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Ambitious vision for expansion and rail link to Belfast City Airport welcomed

Posted on September 16, 2025 by Unite the union NI

Unite which represents workers at Belfast City Airport has welcomed the ambitious proposals contained in a master plan for the future of airport. The plan was published by airport management today (16 September) and contains proposals to expand the airport’s footprint to include Ireland’s first air-rail link and to double employment at the airport to 2,200.

The plans set out an ambitious strategy for expansion of the airport’s capacity and connections by 2040.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Unite welcomes the ambitious vision set out in this plan. A rail connection to Belfast city airport is long overdue and will make sense to everyone.

“The proposals to expand the airport will more than double the workforce. Unite is committed to ensuring these will be quality, unionised jobs.”

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