Employees at the meat manufacturing specialist’s Enniskillen site in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, have now agreed to begin all-out (continuous) strike action beginning at 06:30 on 2 September.
The dispute involves around 130 workers at the facility who are seeking a cost-of-living pay increase and an end to the current “unequal payment of breaks”.
This latest move marks a sharp escalation in the dispute and follows three weeks of strike action during August.
Enniskillen produces a range of Pilgrim’s Europe best-sellers, including Fridge Raiders, Richmond sausages, Mr Brains Pork Faggots, Denny sausages (for Ireland), Rollover sausages (sold at football grounds) and vegan sausages.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Pilgrims is a hugely profitable company making massive profits while its workers earn just pennies above the bare legal minimum. It can easily make its workers a fair offer but is choosing not to.
“Our members are determined to win an improved deal. They have the total support of Unite for as long as it takes to achieve that.”
The aggrieved staff believe the meat producer has failed to offer an inflation-proof pay increase while also addressing concerns over the unequal payment of breaks.
According to Unite, morning shift workers are paid for 15-minute breaks, while evening and night shift workers are paid for 30-minute breaks.
Pilgrim’s Europe declared after-tax profits of £128.4 million for the 2024 financial year, a 21.1% increase on the previous year.
Owned by US-based parent company Pilgrim’s Pride, Pilgrim’s Europe operates more than 40 sites across the UK, Ireland, France and the Netherlands.
Unite regional officer Greg O’Kane added: “Management intransigence has left workers with no alternative but to escalate the strike. Strikes have already heavily impacted production and stocks.
“Pilgrims’ management needs to act now to end this dispute and avoid the risk of empty shelves just when schools are returning and demand for these products surges.”
Commenting on the continuing negotiations, a Pilgrim’s Europe spokesperson told Food Manufacture: “The company has already made a number of above-inflation pay offers, backdated as part of the proposals, which have been rejected by Unite. In addition, we have put forward proposals aimed at addressing concerns relating to paid breaks for day-shift employees.
“We continue to be available for further constructive dialogue with Unite and are focused on reaching an agreement that is fair, sustainable and in the best interests of our employees and the long-term operation of the site. We are grateful to our wider employees for their support in maintaining operations.”
