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Haldane Fisher have released a statement commenting on current strike action taking place at the Carnbane business in which they say they want to correct the public record on the industrial action which has been taking place at the Newry headquarters of the business.
"Haldane Fisher wishes to correct several inaccurate claims made publicly about industrial action at its Newry (Carnbane) facility, and to set out an accurate factual record.
Claim: The company refused to engage.
Unite served notice of an industrial action ballot on 6 May, before any discussions had taken place. When the ballot result was issued on 3 June, the company engaged the Labour Relations Agency, attended scheduled talks on 8 June, and has continued discussions with colleagues' representatives since.
Claim: A 2.5% pay increase was imposed.
The 2.5% group wide pay increase was applied solely to avoid financially disadvantaging the colleagues Unite represents while matters remained unresolved, a position that arose because the pay claim was submitted late. The company confirmed in writing at the time that the matter remained open to negotiation with Unite.
On 29 June, company representatives met with Unite and tabled a fair, improved offer in line with the current rate of inflation. This was rejected by the union.
Claim: Pay has fallen behind inflation.
We recognise the real pressure inflation places on households. Since 2021, Haldane Fisher operational colleagues have received cumulative pay increases 7% above inflation. However, the sector has moved into a cost-of-doing-business crisis, and any settlement must be sustainable to protect jobs and colleagues' long-term security.
On public comment
The company is disappointed that elected political representatives have commented publicly and, in some cases, visited the picket line without first seeking its position or establishing the facts. A fair resolution is not helped by one side being given a public platform before the facts are established."
A Haldane Fisher spokesperson added: “We sought independent help before any strike, we attended the table, and our door remains open. Our focus is a fair resolution and the protection of jobs for all our colleagues.”
