Strike Action Victory For Pilgrim’s Workers!

Following six weeks of continued strike action, bosses at Pilgrim’s Foods have finally caved and come crawling to the bargaining table. The workers, members of Unite the Union, voted overwhelmingly in favour of a deal offering exactly what they have struggled so hard for: an above inflation pay rise of 4%.

The deal also ends the unequal practice of day-shift workers not being paid for the breaks that the majority of their colleagues were.

Pilgrim’s is a huge food company, with over 40 facilities across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe. They’re best known for their products such as Fridge Raiders, Richmond and Denny’s sausages. They were always more than able to meet their worker’s demands.

But like many companies, they preferred to continue underpayment and unequal treatment during a cost of living crisis rather than lose even a fraction of their profits.

The timing couldn’t be better either, with negotiations for next year’s pay due to start at the site in a few months time. Unite regional officer Greg O’Kane said, “Our members return to work having been transformed by this dispute. They know their strength and that they secured a decent pay improvement through determined collective action.”

We congratulate the workers and their representatives for refusing to back down and setting an example across the country that strike action yields results. 100,000 public sector workers in the south are already undertaking work-to-rule industrial action and more are preparing to go on strike on the 14th October.

Not since the water charges movement of 2014 or the 2009 public sector strike has Ireland seen a show of strength at this scale.

Pilgrim’s workers have shown us the way. Strikes win. And that was in a single workplace. If the strike committees across the public sector workplaces tell their union tops that they won’t back down until the government gives in then victory will be assured.

And if they win here, as Greg O’Kane said about the Pilgrim’s strike, the workers involved will be transformed. Assured of the power we wield when we act collectively and refuse to give in. Ready and motivated to fight the next battle whenever it comes.

But again we must be honest. Any gains made will be at risk until grassroots workers are in full control of our unions. Not overpaid bureaucrats that feel more at home around a government table than out on a picket line.

Only then can we begin to push further and start thinking about putting workers in the driving seat of a state and economy planned in our interests. Not the bosses and bureaucrats.

Until then keep striking until victory. Join the Reds.