Dale Farm Workers Secure Improved Pay Deal

A recent dispute at four Dale Farm sites across Northern Ireland has been resolved following a decisive vote by workers to accept a significantly improved pay offer. Drivers and engineers at the Cookstown, Ballymena, Omagh, and Enniskillen locations will now receive a 4.75% pay increase as part of management's revised proposal.

The resolution comes after workers threatened escalating strike action, with an initial three-day walkout planned for September 20, potentially leading to a full strike in the fourth week. The new agreement offers a considerable improvement over management’s initial 3% offer. Drivers will benefit from an additional bulk tank allowance, and engineers will receive an extra maintenance payment, collectively amounting to a further 1.75% increase.

As the largest farmer-owned dairy cooperative in Northern Ireland, Dale Farm supplies an extensive range of milk and dairy products across the UK, Ireland, and beyond. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham lauded the agreement, noting, "Dale Farm workers have scored a clear win on pay. This result demonstrates the importance of having strong unions in the workplace to deliver on workers’ jobs, pay and conditions."

According to Simon Hall, a regional officer for Unite, the acceptance of this improved pay offer marks the end of the current industrial dispute. Hall emphasized the importance of continued union efforts to ensure that Dale Farm's success is adequately shared with its employees.