'Beggar's belief' - Flahavan's workers to ballot for industrial action

Workers at Flahavan's are to ballot for industrial action over a pay deal dispute.

Trade union Unite announced the news that staff at the Kilmacthomas plant, which supplies half of all porridge oats in Ireland, will be holding a ballot on Wednesday August 12 until August 21. 

According to Unite, over 80 workers held an extraordinary general meeting over the weekend after management reportedly tried to introduce a new pay deal without any oversight from the trade union. 

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."

Unite regional officer Eoin Drummey said: “Resolution of this dispute is in Flahavan’s hands. Unite remains available to engage with the company if it withdraws its insistence that the acceptance of a new flexibility policy forms part of the new pay deal.”

E. Flahavan & Sons Limited have been reached for comment.