Members of Unite the Union employed at Pilgrim’s Europe’s Enniskillen site have voted overwhelmingly to accept an improved pay offer and end their dispute.
The move follows six weeks of strike action in pursuit of improved pay and an end to unequal payment of breaks.
Unite said the deal will see all shopfloor workers receive a 4% pay increase. It will also mean all workers are fully paid for breaks, ending the previous arrangement under which some shifts were fully compensated while others were not.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a clear win for our Pilgrim’s members. This deal was achieved through workers being prepared to take strike action.
“This victory again demonstrates the best way to raise pay and conditions is joining Unite and get your colleagues to join as well.”
The Enniskillen site produces a range of Pilgrim’s Europe brands, including Fridge Raiders, Richmond sausages, Mr Brain’s Pork Faggots, Denny sausages for the Irish market and Rollover sausages, which are sold at football grounds, as well as vegan sausages.
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.
The union added that talks over next year’s pay negotiations at the site are due to begin at the end of the year.
Unite regional officer Greg O’Kane added: “Our members return to work having been transformed by this dispute.
“They know their strength and that they secured a decent pay improvement through determined collective action.”
