Flahavan’s ‘surprised and disappointed’ by pay dispute at Waterford factory
A dispute has arisen between workers and management at Flahavan’s in Kilmacthomas
Flahavan’s has said it is “surprised and disappointed” by the pay dispute that has arisen at its factory in County Waterford.
The trade union Unite announced yesterday that its members at the Kilmacthomas mill would ballot for industrial action in the coming days.
In a statement, Flahavan’s said it was “surprised and disappointed” by this decision.
The company said it engaged with workers and their representatives about the new pay agreement.
A company spokesperson said: “While it would not be appropriate to comment on the detail of ongoing discussions, we believe the outstanding matters can be resolved through continued constructive engagement and the established industrial relations process.
“We remain committed to engaging constructively with our employees and their representatives and to working towards a mutually acceptable resolution.”
An extraordinary general meeting of Unite members over the weekend decided unanimously to ballot for industrial action at the plant.
The decision to ballot follows the management’s attempt to tie a new pay deal to a ‘flexibility agreement’.
Unite says that it has neither seen nor negotiated this agreement.
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.”
The ballot will open on Wednesday, August 12 and closes on Friday, August 21.
The trade union has said that it is open to engaging with Flahavan’s if it withdraws the new flexibility policy.