Meat plant workers plan further industrial action

The workers will undertake two additional 12-hour work stoppages on Friday and Saturday

Mon, 17 Nov, 2025 - 10:06

Martin Claffey

Workers at Carroll's Cuisine meat plant in Tullamore in Co Offaly will undertake further industrial action this week in a row over pay and conditions.

The workers will undertake two additional 12-hour work stoppages on Friday November 21st and Saturday November 22nd in a dispute focusing on pay, working conditions, and union recognition at the meat processing plant.

Siptu members at the company undertook initial 12-hour stoppages on Sunday, November 16 and on Monday November 17th, placing pickets at the facility in Tullamore.

There are around 100 workers represented by Siptu at the Carroll's Cuisine plant in Tullamore. Siptu manufacturing divisional organiser, Neil McGowan blamed management for the decision to escalate industrial action, saying they had refused to continue talks.

“Workers in Carroll’s Cuisine voted last month in favour of industrial and strike action but agreed to suspend planned stoppages to allow for negotiations. At our meeting on Friday, 31st October, Siptu representatives presented a constructive proposal aimed at ensuring the company’s financial stability while also addressing pay improvements and securing union recognition for collective bargaining,” Mr McGowan said.

“Management requested time to consider this proposal before stating it was not prepared to engage further on the outstanding matters with the workers’ chosen Siptu representatives."

Siptu members will maintain pickets during all stoppages, including the two additional 12-hour actions scheduled for next Friday and Saturday, both commencing at 7am.

Carroll's Cuisine is owned by Sofina Foods, one of the largest food manufacturing producers in Canada. Globally, the company operates 44 sites and has over 13,000 employees. Carroll's Cuisine has been approached for comment.