Drivers and engineers call off strike after accepting pay offer

Drivers and engineers at one of Northern Ireland’s biggest agri-food businesses have voted to accept an improved pay deal, ending industrial action.

Workers at Dale Farm sites in Cookstown, Ballymena, Omagh and Enniskillen were due to begin a three day strike on Wednesday, with action due to escalate week on week.

However, trade union Unite said its members have now voted “decisively” to accept an extra 4.75% offer made by management, bringing any planned strike action to an end.

Its general secretary Sharon Graham said the workers have “scored a clear win on pay”.

Dale Farm is a farmer-owned co-op which produces its own branded products such as Dromona butter, as well as providing ingredients to other companies.

The new offer marks a “significant improvement” from the previous offer of 3%, Unite added.

Drivers at the four Dale Farm sites are set to receive an additional increase on their bulk tank allowance.

Engineers will also get an additional maintenance payment – both of which are worth 1.75%.

Simon Hall, Unite’s regional officer for the workforce, said the improved offer goes “some way” towards improving rates of pay for a skilled workforce.

“We will continue to build union strength with the aim of ensuring Dale Farm’s success is properly shared with its employees,” he added.

A spokesperson for Dale Farm said following “collective conciliation”, the issue has now been resolved.

“This agreement means there will be no industrial action in the coming weeks, allowing all parties to focus on delivering quality dairy products for our customers and consumers, and our farmers can be assured that milk will continue to be collected as normal,” they added.

“As a cooperative, we value our employee relations and are committed to continuing to foster a supportive workplace and values led culture.”