Flahavan's workers to vote on strike action over new pay deal
Workers at the Flahavan’s oat mill in Ireland are set to vote on strike action following a dispute over a new pay agreement. The union, Unite, claims the company is attempting to link pay to an unnegotiated flexibility policy.
Why it matters
Labor disputes at major food producers can impact supply chains and highlight broader industrial relations issues in the manufacturing sector.
WORKERS AT FLAHAVAN’S will vote on whether they should strike over a pay agreement the union says it didn’t negotiate.
The Flahavan’s mill and factory are based in Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford. The company produces half of all oats sold in Ireland.
Between 12 and 21 August employees who are members of the union Unite will vote on whether they should strike.
The union says an extraordinary general meeting was held over the weekend, where members expressed concern that Flahavan’s was trying to tie a new pay deal to a “flexibility agreement” that was “neither seen nor negotiated by Unite”.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members’ dedication and expertise have made Flahavan’s a household name throughout Ireland.
“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.”
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in