Danone Nutricia Workers in Ireland Secure 9% Pay Increase Over Two Years

Danone Nutricia's employees in Wexford, Ireland, have overwhelmingly voted to accept a pay increase agreement amounting to 9% over the next two years. This decision was facilitated by the trade union Unite, which confirmed that the agreement is backdated to January 1st. The pay deal includes an increment of 4.5% for the current year and 4.3% for the following year, affecting base pay, production bonuses, and service pay.

In addition to the pay rise, workers will receive vouchers valued at €900 annually and free annual medical statements. Unite's general secretary, Sharon Graham, emphasized the importance of organized labor in negotiating such outcomes, stating that the union's focus on jobs, pay, and conditions is yielding tangible results for its members.

Danone Nutricia, a specialized nutrition brand of the Paris-listed Danone group, produces infant formula under the Aptamil and Cow & Gate brands. The Wexford facility is one of the largest in the company's specialized nutrition network. In a related development, the Labour Court in late February recommended a 16.25% pay increase over four years for workers at the Danone plant in Macroom, Co Cork.

The Macroom site employs 236 workers and has recognition agreements with the SIPTU and Connect unions. The Labour Court's recommendation included staged pay increases from 2024 to 2027, just below Siptu's initial claim of a 16.5% increase over the same period.