Update: strike suspended

Unite negotiators have suspended strike action after the management of a Northern Ireland news distribution firm offering a significantly improved pay offer to its workers, many of whom are paid little more than the minimum wage for skilled work.

 
As UniteLive reported yesterday, the five-hour strike action was due to commence tomorrow (June 3) at EM News Distribution and was likely to result in significant disruption to newspaper and magazine distribution across Northern Ireland.

 
Unite regional officer Sean Smyth explained the situation.

 
“EM News Distribution offered an improved pay increase to its employees – an increase that would be backdated to the beginning of 2014,” he said. “In order to allow our members to consider the merits of this pay offer and to avoid unnecessary disruption, we have suspended our planned action.

 
“Industrial action is always a last resort for a trade union but we have been forced into this situation by management threats and their failure to take seriously the issue of poverty pay among their workforce,” he added.

 
Smyth contended that it was unfortunate that management waited “until the eleventh hour” for the threat of severe disruption to make the improved offer.

 
“Such manoeuvres undermine confidence in the company’s ability to deliver,” he said.

 
“Despite this approach, Unite will continue to attempt to build a positive working relationship with management for the benefit of our members.”