Primark staff in Northern Ireland to be balloted on strike action
Members of the Usdaw union employed by Primark in Northern Ireland are being balloted on possible strike action.
The union said in an announcement yesterday that the ballot was in protest at the company’s imposition of a pay freeze for a second year in succession.
The official ballot, which closes today follows a consultative ballot held in December 2011 in which 95% of the Usdaw members voted in favour of holding a ballot for industrial action.
Usdaw has approximately 641 members employed in Primark’s eight stores in Northern Ireland, around 85% of the total number of staff. The union said that no decisions have yet been taken on the form or timing of any potential strike action and that it is still trying to resolve the dispute with the assistance of the Labour Relations Agency.
Nicola Scarborough, Usdaw area organiser said: “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.”
