Pilgrim’s Europe workers at its Enniskillen site in Northern Ireland are striking over pay.
Approximately 130 members of Unite employed by the company are set to escalate their strike action at the site.
The strike will begin at 6:30am on Monday 17 August after a vote by workers on the picket line last Friday.
Unite said the dispute centres around the failure of the employer to offer an inflation-proof pay increase that addresses unequal pay for breaks.
Morning shift workers are paid for only 15-minute breaks while evening and night shift are paid for 30 minutes.
“Pilgrim’s is a very successful company making huge after-tax profits,” said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham. “It can well afford to pay its workers properly but our members in Enniskillen are paid less than colleagues on sites elsewhere in the UK and little above the bare legal minimum.
“The workers will have the full and continuing support of Unite for as long as it takes to win pay justice and respect.”
Its regional officer, Greg O’Kane, said that management needed to “return to the table with an offer”.
“We have made a pay offer above inflation and remain committed to constructive discussions with the union,” said a Pilgrim’s Europe spokesperson. “Our priority is ensuring all employees feel safe and respected throughout this period while we continue to focus on serving our customers and supporting our people.”
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