Ice cream workers can’t be licked

 Ice cream workers can’t be licked

Unpublished article for UniteLandworker magazine of Spring 2024 

An 8.8 per cent rise from August last year with another 5 per cent to come this August has been scooped by ice cream workers at LE Pritchitts, near Newtownards in Northern Ireland. It follows a week-long strike in February.

It’s a long way from the initial 4.48% offer skilled machine operators who also manufacture UHT milk-based products were asked to stomach from the company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Lakeland District Co-op, which on the back of a 40% leap in revenue had seen its profits increase by 63%.

Gary Hamilton has worked for the company, formed in 1925, for 31 years. Four years ago, he became the senior steward which includes negotiating wages. “We were offered a 4.48% offer at the start and which is nowhere near enough to feed our families. This was increased to 6.2%, then 8% and then 8.8%. It left a bitter taste.

“We work hard. It is a multi-million-pound environment operated by process workers, lab technicians and mechanical engineers. Inflation has cut heavily into our wages. We need 9% to maintain the differentials on the national hourly minimum wage. The company, which made a profit of £2.21 million in 2022, could afford our claim. Especially as they have got a £500 million contract for whipping cream from China.”

It meant 120+ Unite members felt they had no option except to walk out of the factory. “When we balloted, we got unanimous backing from all 124 members. Only a young apprentice did not take strike action,” Gary states proudly.

The strike at the end of February was the first at the factory, which employs on a shift system around 200 people, many from rural locations, in 44 years.

Picket lines were mounted continuously. Unite regional officer Albert Hewitt, who in the past was a steward for 18 years at Translink, attended regularly witnessing “a very high morale with local bakeries and wee shops providing sausage rolls and pasties. Pritchitts workers were standing by their principles and Unite could assist because of the hardship funds we have built up over many years.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham was naturally backing the strikers stating: “Unite does what it says on the trade union tin and always prioritises the jobs, pay and conditions of its members. The workers at Pritchitts will receive the union’s unfettered support.”

That would, if necessary, have included backing for further industrial action.

“ We are really pleased with the outcome, from 4.48% for a one year deal up to 8.8% and now an additional 5 per cent in four months is in our favour. The teamwork and selflessness on the picket line brought everyone together.

“The solidarity of sticking together as Unite members is what has won us this deal,” states Gary Hamilton whose members are also set to reward the local businesses who supported them with increased custom for many years.