Strike action has been avoided at Northern Ireland timber and building merchant Haldane Fisher after the company agreed to a 12% pay increase.
Unite the Union said a majority of its members at the firm have agreed to accept the latest offer having previously rejected a proposal by the company’s management in July to increase pay by 6%. The union’s members had been due to strike on 30 th September but that has now been called off after the deal which will be implemented over 15 months.
Neil Moore, regional officer for the Haldane Fisher workers welcomed the deal.
“This fifteen month pay deal represents a significant win for the workers at Haldane Fisher,” he said. “Whilst it will certainly improve things for our members, and meets the current retail price index measure of inflation, bosses must proceed by listening to our members from now on.”
Headquartered in Newry and founded over 75 years ago, Haldane Fisher is one of Northern Ireland’s largest companies, turning over around £130 million and employing some 700 people. It has 21 branches across the UK and the Republic, 12 of which are based in Northern Ireland.
“This is another win for Unite members; this pay increase was won by workers organising in a trade union and standing ready to take effective strike action,” Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said. “Unite the union is doing what it says on the trade union tin – we are delivering jobs, pay and conditions for our members. We are winning for workers in the worst cost of living crisis in decades.”
