Shoppers could face shortages of Richmond Sausages and Fridge Raiders as factory workers launch an all-out strike.
Around 130 Unite members at Pilgrim’s Europe’s production facility in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, will begin a continuous walkout at 6:30 am tomorrow (2 September).
The action marks a major escalation in a bitter dispute over pay and paid breaks following three weeks of previous strikes, as reported by What’s The Jam.
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And union bosses have warned it could leave supermarket shelves short of popular lunchbox favourites just as millions of children return to school.
The Enniskillen factory produces household brands including Richmond Sausages, Fridge Raiders and Mr Brains Pork Faggots.
It also makes Denny sausages for the Republic of Ireland, Rollover sausages sold at football grounds and vegan sausages.
Unite regional officer Greg O’Kane said: “Management intransigence has left workers with no alternative but to escalate the strike.
“Strikes have already heavily impacted production and stocks.
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“Pilgrim’s 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.”
Workers are demanding an improved pay rise as well as changes to how breaks are paid across different shifts.
Unite said morning-shift employees are paid for just 15 minutes of their breaks, compared with 30 minutes for evening and night workers.
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The union said the lowest-paid employees at the site earn £12.82 an hour – 11p above the statutory National Living Wage of £12.71 for workers aged 21 and over.
It also pointed to Pilgrim’s Europe’s latest reported after-tax profit of around £128 million.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Pilgrim’s 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.”
Pilgrim’s Europe said it had already made a number of above-inflation pay offers, which would be backdated as part of the proposals, but these had been rejected by Unite.
The company said it had also put forward proposals aimed at addressing concerns over paid breaks for day-shift workers.
A Pilgrim’s Europe spokesperson said: “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.”
The Enniskillen facility employs more than 300 people and is marking its 25th anniversary this year.
Pilgrim’s Europe operates more than 40 production facilities across the UK, Ireland, France and the Netherlands.
Its other brands include Denny, Moy Park Chicken, Oakhouse Foods and Rollover Hot Dogs.
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