This is a subscriber-only article
Some 290 general operatives at Kerry Group’s Listowel plant have started a four-week long campaign of action this week over an ongoing pay dispute.
The workers plan to conduct 24-hour weekly work stoppages. Kerry Group got notice last week of the action, a spokesperson for the group told the Irish Farmers Journal.
“It started at 10pm on Tuesday night for 24 hours and it involves approximately 290 general operatives in the plant.”
There is close to a total workforce of 500 in the Listowel plant from management to operatives.
The workers are taking part in the stoppage as part of an ongoing pay dispute centred on an annual increase in pay.
This previously led to a hearing in the Labour Court, which recommended that the workers receive a 2.5% pay increase per annum over four years.
The spokesperson continued: “Kerry Group reluctantly accepted this, even though it is above industry norms. This [the 2.5% increase] was rejected by the workers.
“The workers sought 3.5% per annum, however, the company felt that 2.5% was more than what it would wish to pay but agreed on the Labour Court recommendation.
“Arising out of that the members balloted and agreed to industrial action.”
SIPTU
SIPTU organiser John Cooney said: “This 24-hour work stoppage is the first of a series of four such industrial actions that our members have notified the company will begin each Tuesday evening at 8pm over the coming weeks.
“This industrial action relates to our members seeking increased payment in relation to the introduction of new technology at the plant.
“The dispute has been considered by the Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court. A Labour Court recommendation in relation to the dispute was rejected by SIPTU members in the plant.
“SIPTU representatives remain available to engage in meaningful negotiations with management in order to achieve a resolution to this dispute.”
Technology
Kerry Group has introduced the new SAP IT system across all of its sites in Europe and Asia.
The spokesperson said: “It has not formed the basis of pay demands on any [other] site.
“The Labour Court has clarified that it is an ongoing change and should not give rise to any pay issue.
“The workers and representatives have included the introduction of SAP as part of the basis of the claim.”
SHARING OPTIONS: