06/08/2013

Dispute At Molson Coors Brewery Settled

Employees have settled their long-running dispute at the Molson Coors brewery in Burton-on-Trent, according to Unitethe union.

Unite said that its members had voted to accept a second revised package put forward by the management.

The deal includes:

• pay reduction of £862 from 1 January 2014 and £862 from 1 January 2015 for all workers previously facing cuts of up to £9,000-a-year in their pay

• generous severance/redundancy payments available for all workers facing a pay cut

• radical shift proposals - which could have been changed at 24 hours notice and workers called in while on holiday - are completely withdrawn

• pay protection not only fully retained, but temporarily improved until 2017.

This will mean workers earnings' now contractually guaranteed for the next five years, possibly longer.

Unite regional officer Rick Coyle said: "This workforce stunned Molson Coors by the strength, determination and scale of the solidarity they displayed.

"The 97 per cent vote in favour of strike action will never be forgotten. Unite is proud to have delivered an honourable outcome for members in a dire situation that originally saw some workers face losing their homes."

The dispute centred on pay and conditions, as well as proposed new shift patterns for the 455-strong workforce. In May, workers voted by a margin of 97 per cent in favour of strike action.

(CD)

Related Northern Ireland Recruitment News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

15 May 2008
Irish Workers Would Take Pay Cut For Dream Job
A recent survey has revealed the vast majority of Irish workers would take a salary cut if it meant getting their dream job. The survey of over 20,000 people found 84% believe a fulfilling career is more important than money amid ongoing turmoil with the government, unions and employers locked in the latest round of national pay talks.
30 January 2015
Union Seals Better Pay Deal For Woolwich Ferry Workers
A strike by Woolwich Ferry workers has been averted after Unite the union secured a better pay deal for the workforce, and persuaded ferry operator Briggs Marine to abandon threats to tear up long-standing agreements.
06 October 2014
DSG Workers To Strike Over Pay Dispute
Workers at the Defence Support Group (DSG) have voted for industrial action in a dispute over pay in the run-up to the group being sold off to the private sector next year. More than 800 employees, members of Unite the union, voted by 75 per cent for strike action and by 85 per cent for action short of a strike.
18 September 2014
DSG Workers To Ballot For Industrial Action Over Pay Dispute
Workers at the cash-rich Defence Support Group (DSG) are being balloted for industrial action in a dispute over pay, as the group faces being sold off to the private sector next year.
03 July 2017
Mears Manchester Workers To Begin Strike Action
Unite the union has announced a dramatic escalation in strike action as part of a long running dispute with private contractor Mears and joint venture company Manchester Working (operated by Mears) over pay differentials and attacks on terms and conditions.