SIPTU members in Carroll’s Cuisine in Tullamore vote for strike action

SIPTU members employed at Carroll’s Cuisine in Tullamore have voted to take industrial action, up to and including strike action, in a dispute arising from the employer’s refusal to engage with their Union to negotiate a collective agreement governing working conditions at the plant.

The campaign of industrial action will commence with work stoppages from 10am to 2pm on Friday, October 31, and Saturday, November 1. SIPTU members will place pickets at the entrance to the plant during these stoppages.

SIPTU Manufacturing Divisional Organiser, Neil McGowan, said: “Our members were left with no option other than to commence industrial action due to management’s refusal to engage in negotiations with their Union.

“Management has refused several invitations from SIPTU representatives to meet and negotiate a collective agreement that would deliver fair terms and conditions for workers at Carroll’s.

"As Ireland has some of the weakest collective bargaining laws in Europe, these workers are left with little option but to take industrial action to vindicate their fundamental right to negotiate collectively with their employer.”

He added: “SIPTU remains willing and available to meet with management. However, if this intransigence continues, there will be further industrial action by our members employed at the meat processing plant.”

SIPTU Organiser, Sintija Sheerin, said: “This is the beginning of a campaign of industrial action which will continue until the company respects our members’ right to be represented by their union for the purposes of collective bargaining.

“The need to negotiate decent terms and conditions of employment is a major issue for these workers and for workers across the country. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis is causing hardship, and our members are determined to secure a fair deal.”