Primark Northern Ireland faces strike action in protest at two year pay freeze

Date: 18 January 2012

Usdaw members employed by Primark in Northern Ireland are being balloted on possible strike action in protest at the company's imposition of a pay freeze for the second year in succession.

The official ballot, which closes tomorrow (Thursday 19 January), follows a consultative ballot held in December 2011 in which 95% of members voted in favour of holding a ballot for industrial action.

In 2010, Usdaw members very reluctantly agreed to accept a pay freeze following lengthy negotiations that involved the Labour Relations Agency (LRA). In this year's pay round, Primark have again refused to offer staff any pay rise and talks again aided by the LRA have so far failed to secure any agreement.

Usdaw has approximately 641 members employed in Primark's 8 stores in Northern Ireland, around 85% of the total number of staff. No decisions have yet been taken on the form or timing of any strike action to take place and Usdaw is still trying to resolve the dispute with the assistance of the LRA.

Nicola Scarborough, Usdaw Area Organiser said:

"Primark has a loyal and long-serving workforce in Northern Ireland and our members are dismayed and extremely angry at the company's attempt to impose a pay freeze for the second year running."

"Most staff at Primark Northern Ireland currently earn just £6.84 an hour and soaring prices and Government cuts to tax credits and other benefits mean they are finding it increasingly hard to make ends meet."

"Our members are well aware of the tough trading conditions in retail, which is why they reluctantly agreed a pay freeze last time round, but they are equally aware that despite these difficulties, in the year to September 2011, Primark's sales increased by 13% and they made a profit of £309 million."

"Primark should play fair and reward staff for their central role in helping the company increase its sales and make those huge profits."

Notes for Editors:

1. Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fourth biggest and fastest growing trade union with over 410,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 17% in the last five years and by nearly a third in the last decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.