Militant Left stands in full solidarity with workers at Carroll Cuisine in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, who begin two days of strike action today. These workers, members of SIPTU, are striking for much improved pay and conditions and trade union recognition. Disgracefully, Carroll Cuisine refused to respectfully engage with these workers and their chosen union, SIPTU.
Carroll Cuisine workers earn minimum wage, no shift or anti-social hours premia, reduced sick leave, and the very bare minimum in legal entitlements. This company is part of the Sofina Foods meat processing empire, owned by Canadian billionaire Michael Latifi. A recent report in ‘Forbes’ magazine gives his personal fortune at €3.4 billion. This is the reality of capitalism, a single billionaire at the top of a major company and hundreds of minimum wage workers firmly at the bottom. We must end this system.
The Carroll Cuisine workers deserve the full support and solidarity of the trade union movement. They are fighting for a decent wage and trade union recognition. A victory for them will be a victory for all workers.