Industrial action has escalated at the AG (Acheson & Glover) concrete plant in Toome, where workers are beginning a fifth week of strike action.
Members of the GMB union at the plant, which produces pavers and flagstones, walked out in mid-August.
The dispute arose when staff were offered a 2.5% pay increase for 2024/2025, which the union claimed represented a real terms pay cut with RPI inflation at 3.1%.
It was the first time in a generation that workers at the company had taken industrial action, and at the time the union said its members would remain on the picket line for four days.
But GMB senior organiser Alan Perry has confirmed an escalation of the action, and has lambasted management for “bringing nothing to the table that could end the dispute”.
He said: “GMB met the company in good faith - a meeting facilitated by the Labour Relations Agency - only for them to bring nothing to the table that could end the dispute.
“Workers are furious - the company top brass get wined and dined at awards ceremonies last week - while people with more than 30 years service struggle to survive.
“Enough is enough. If the company is sincere in bringing this dispute to an end they need to get round the table or industrial action will continue indefinitely.”
The action at AG comes as the company, which has its headquarters in Fivemiletown, saw its turnover rise 10% to £29.2 million over the last year and reported a pre-tax profit of £3.4 million.
At the time of the original walk-out in August, AG said it was deeply saddened at the action, adding that although only a small portion of its operations staff in Toome was involved (15 out of AG’s total 216 employees), the company nonetheless recognised and respected their voices and opinions.
In a statement it added: “In the past three years alone, we have significantly enhanced our employee benefits package, including a 12.5% pay increase. This demonstrates our dedication to fair compensation even amidst a challenging period for the construction industry.”
AG, a third-generation family-owned business founded 64 years ago, is one of the largest suppliers of hard landscaping and building products in the UK and Ireland.
The company has been asked for an updated response to its August statement.
