Concrete makers at the A&G (Acheson & Glover) plant in Toome have gone on strike amid claims that they have been offered a below inflation pay offer.
Dozens of GMB members have taken action in what is the first strike there in a generation.
The workers, who make up more than 70% of the total workforce at the plant, which produces pavers and flagstones, walked out on Tuesday and say they will remain on the picket line for four days.
The dispute arose when staff were offered a 2.5% pay increase for 2024/2025, representing a real term pay cut with inflation at 3.1%.
It 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.
GMB senior organiser Alan Perry said: “Our members have been pushed to the brink by years of below-inflation pay rises and enough is enough.
“The majority of our members at Toome earn less than the real living wage.
“They won’t be intimidated by management’s threats.
“This strike is about dignity and securing a fair wage for the hard-working employees who keep this business running and build the profits announced today.”
He added: “It’s unacceptable that workers with decades of service are barely earning above minimum wage while the company ignores their contributions.
“This fight is about ensuring that the value of our members’ skills and dedication is recognised and rewarded.
“We are more than happy to meet with management to find a resolution whenever they wish to open dialogue with us.”
A spokesman for AG Paving + Building Products said the company is ‘deeply saddened’ by the industrial action taken by a small portion of its operations staff in Toome.
In a statement it said: “Prioritising the wellbeing of our employees is a core value for us, and we are disappointed that negotiations did not yield a resolution before reaching this unfortunate point.
“The striking employees represent a small fraction of our dedicated workforce. Specifically, only 15 out of AG’s total 216 employees have signed up to support the strike action. However, we recognise and respect their voices and opinions.
“Our commitment to our staff is evident in the actions we have taken over our 64-year history. 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.”
It added: “We believe in the power of constructive dialogue and have consistently sought to engage with all our staff and their representatives in good faith.
“We remain hopeful for a swift and amicable resolution.”
