Meat workers suspend industrial action at processing plant

Workers held stoppages earlier this week

Strike action by meat workers at the Carroll's Cuisine plant in Co Offaly has been postponed.

Strike action by meat workers at the Carroll's Cuisine plant in Co Offaly has been postponed.

Siptu has suspended a 12-hour work stoppage that was due to commence at Carroll’s Cuisine in Tullamore, on Saturday morning, following management’s agreement to enter negotiations with union representatives. There are around 100 workers represented by Siptu at the Carroll's Cuisine plant in Tullamore.

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. Siptu are aiming to secure a collective agreement that will deliver improvements in pay and conditions for workers at the meat-processing plant.

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

 “Today’s movement by management to agree to talks with a focus on reaching an agreement and indicating a willingness to recognise the union as representing their workforce is a major step forward," said Siptu manufacturing divisional organiser, Neil McGowan. 

"We still have a long way to go, but we are hopeful that a collective agreement dealing with all outstanding issues in relation to pay, annual-leave entitlements, sick-pay and other conditions for workers can be secured in the near future."

Negotiations between Siptu representatives and Carroll’s Cuisine management are scheduled to commence early next week.

 “While the suspension of the stoppage acknowledges management’s new willingness to engage with our union, the dispute is not settled. We will enter the negotiations in a positive manner with a clear focus on improving pay and terms and conditions for our members, we have come too far not see a fair agreement," added Mr McGowan.