Workers start 24-hour strike at ABP Meats in Lurgan

Q Newsdesk

Workers at a meat-packing factory in Lurgan are starting a 24-hour strike today.

It follows a dispute over pay and the impact of shift patterns on childcare responsibilities.

Unite the Union says it plans to bring production lines at ABP Meats to a standstill.

A large group of workers have gathered outside of ABP Meats in Lurgan. Employees are taking strike action to demand better pay and shift patterns. pic.twitter.com/EXHgxP7uLk

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) November 4, 2019

Unite's regional officer Brain Hewitt said, 

"The first twenty-four hour strike action will commence from midnight on Monday with pickets formed from six am at the gates to the company’s Lurgan plant. "

"The strike action follows an overwhelming 93.1 percent vote of workers for action in an independently conducted industrial ballot."

Sean Rogers from Lurgan is out at the picket line today at ABP Meats demanding better pay and improved working hours. #Lurgan #News #Strike pic.twitter.com/mp2G09hA3k

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) November 4, 2019

An ABP spokesperson said: “ABP has been in negotiations with colleague representatives and remains open to and available for further engagement through the appropriate industrial relations channels.”