Kerry Group workers, who are SIPTU members, at the group’s plants in Charleville, Co. Cork, have overwhelmingly voted to implement a one-day work stoppage on Monday, January 30.
Some 68 workers out of the 250 on site are understood to be SIPTU members.
The stoppage is in response to what SIPTU says is a management refusal to attend a conciliation meeting at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to discuss proposed changes to workers’ terms and conditions of employment.
SIPTU Organiser, Terry Bryan, said that members have voted by a margin of 94% to 6% in favour of taking industrial action as a direct result of a management decision to withdraw from the WRC process.
This provocative step by management is clearly in breach of the agreed dispute resolution procedures at the company.
“The collective agreement on dispute resolution is a procedural method of dealing with matters of disagreement between the company and our members.
“It clearly states that should a matter remain unresolved between the parties, then it shall be referred to the appropriate third party body, in this case, the WRC.”
Bryan said that the items that are in dispute include proposed changes to shift patterns and terms, job rotation and appointments.
“These matters were due before the Labour Court on November 28, 2016. However, management withdrew from that scheduled hearing and have now refused to attend a conciliation meeting at the WRC.”
The one-day stoppage is avoidable if the company complies with its agreed dispute resolution procedures and attends the proposed WRC meeting.
A statement from Kerry Group said that the group introduced new work procedures in all of its departments except one last year.
“These changes were in response to marketplace changes and to meet customer requirements.
“After 11 local meetings, seven meetings with the WRC and one meeting at the Labour Court last year, the Group failed to make progress with the workers.
“Despite our best efforts, no progress was made. It is regrettable and we are still trying to find a solution to the issue.”