Flahavan's workers to vote on possible strike action

Workers at the Waterford porridge oats and granola producer voted unanimously at an EGM to ballot for industrial action

Flahavan's plant at Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford. File picture: Neil Michael

Workers at Flahavan's are to vote on possible strike action in a dispute over a new "flexibility agreement" being proposed by management.

Unite trade union said members employed at the porridge oats and granola producer in Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford, voted unanimously at an extraordinary general meeting over the weekend to ballot for industrial action.

'Pay linked to flexibility deal the union did not see' 

The union said the move follows what it described as management's "unilateral attempt" to tie a new pay agreement to a flexibility agreement that Unite claims it has neither seen nor agreed to.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the proposed flexibility agreement "did not form part of negotiations on a new pay deal".

"Our members' dedication and expertise have made Flahavan's a household name throughout Ireland," she said.

"It beggars belief that it has chosen to tear up normal industrial relations procedures and demand workers sign up to an unseen and unagreed policy."

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham: 'It beggars belief that [Flahavan's] has chosen to tear up normal industrial relations procedures.' File picture

The ballot on industrial action will open this Wednesday, August 12, and close on August 21.

Unite regional officer Eoin Drummey said the dispute could be resolved if the company withdrew its requirement that acceptance of a new flexibility policy form part of the pay deal.

"Resolution of this dispute is in Flahavan's hands," he said.

"Unite remains available to engage with the company if it withdraws its insistence that the acceptance of a new flexibility policy forms part of the new pay deal."

Flahavan's was asked to comment.