Primark workers to strike

Usdaw members, Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, employed by Primark in Northern Ireland are planning a two day strike protesting the company's decision to halt a pay rise for a second year running. The strike, which will start at 7am on Friday and end at 7pm on Saturday, will include all eight Primark stores in Northern Ireland. Usdaw members will picket the stores asking shoppers to support their fight by not crossing picket lines.

The strike comes after Usdaw members voted 88% in favour of taking strike action in protest against a pay freeze by Primark for a second year in a row. Usdaw members claim they agreed to a pay freeze in 2010 on the understanding that the freeze would only last a year.

Nicola Scarborough, Usdaw area organiser said: "Announcing a 4% increase in dividends last year, the Chairman of Primark’s parent company ABF said that their good results, achieved despite difficult trading conditions, were and I quote ‘not delivered by chance but are the consequence of the hard work and enterprise of our employees.’ Usdaw agrees. Our members at Primark are loyal and hardworking and are entitled to expect a fair deal from the company in return."

Image: Primark