Workers at the Belfast Hovis factory have voted overwhelmingly in favour of accepting a new pay offer, bringing an end to their industrial action.
Members of Unite had been due to participate in industrial action at the Apollo Road plant in South Belfast from Sunday 5th March but this was suspended to allow fresh negotiations with their employer.
Members of the union have voted by a margin of three to one to accept a significantly improved pay increase offered by the bakery.
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The improved pay deal was offered on the eve of all-out strike action planned last week. Over two calendar years 2023 and 2024, the offer provides workers with a pay increase of 13.5%.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham congratulated Unite members at Hovis for their willingness to take strike action for improved pay.
“Yet again members of Unite have secured a significant improvement to their pay through their collective action," she said.
"Hovis can well afford to increase the pay of their workforce; they have enjoyed huge success in recent years posting pre-tax profits of almost £50 million in 2021.
“Why should workers pay the price for the current economic crisis when it was definitely not of their making.
“Our members know that they have the full backing of this union when they organise to defend jobs, pay and conditions.”
Regional Officer for the workforce, Sean McKeever, also welcomed the settlement.
“This is a huge win for our members and came on the back of our clear intent to take all-out strike action on the back of a 95% ballot for strike action," he added.
“This success occurs after a number of years of successful outcomes to pay disputes at Hovis which has lifted pay at this employer substantially over the period.
“All other employers in this sector now need to take note and bring forward pay deals that deliver real improvements for their employees.”
Staff at the Apollo Road plant last walked out in April 2021 causing widespread disruption to supplies.
The 11-day strike action came to an end with staff accepting a pay increase of 4% increase per year for two years.
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