Talks with union begin as fresh one-day strike at Offaly meat plant averted

A UNION representing workers in dispute at Carroll Cuisine in Tullamore began talks with company management today.

SIPTU expects the negotiations to continue over the next couple of days. The agreement to begin talks resulted in SIPTU suspending its plan for a 12-hour work stoppage which was due to take place at the meat plant in Srah on Saturday, November 22.

SIPTU said the talks aim to secure a collective agreement that will deliver improvements in pay and conditions for workers at the meat-processing plant.

Speaking on Friday in advance of Tuesday's discussions, SIPTU Manufacturing Divisional Organiser, Neil McGowan, described the “movement by management” to focus on reaching an agreement and indicating a willingness to recognise the workers' right to be represented by the union as “a major step forward”.

However, Mr McGowan added: “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.”

“The breakthrough comes after three days of industrial action by production-line workers over pay, conditions and the right to collective bargaining. Credit for this progress lies entirely with our members in the plant, who stood firm and united in taking the industrial action necessary to move management into a position where it became serious about resolving these longstanding workplace issues."

“The support of the local community and the solidarity shown by the wider trade-union movement have also been crucial in getting us to a point where management at Carroll’s Cuisine have formally acknowledged the union’s role and committed to engaging next week in negotiations guided by a genuine collective-bargaining process.

PREVIOUSLY: Two more strike days planned at Offaly meat plant

“These talks will focus on the staff’s longstanding demands for fair wages and clear recognition of their right to be represented by a trade union.”

Mr McGowan added: “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.”