'We'd go back to work tomorrow if they gave us a decent pay rise'

Workers at one of Northern Ireland's leading building supplies firms have said they will continue a strike until agreement is reached on a new pay deal.

About 40 staff at Haldane Fisher's Carnbane site, near Newry, County Down, have been on strike for five weeks.

Unite the Union, who represent the striking workers, said it's the first industrial action at the company in more than 40 years.

Patrick Bennett, who has worked at Haldane Fisher for 24 years said workers wanted "a decent, respectable pay rise".

A company spokesperson said: "We sought independent help before any strike, we attended the table, and our door remains open.

"Our focus is a fair resolution and the protection of jobs for all our colleagues."

Haldane Fisher has its own network of shops but the Newry site is central to its supply trade to builders' merchants across the Republic of Ireland.

Bennett said workers had rejected the company's latest pay offer.

"They offered us 2.5% and then another 0.3%, which was still nowhere near inflation.

"We'd be back in the morning if they gave us a decent pay rise," he said.

"That's what it all boils down to, respect and a decent pay rise."

Haldane Fisher said the 2.5% increase had not been imposed as a final settlement but was introduced to ensure Unite members were not financially disadvantaged while negotiations continued because the union's pay claim had been submitted late.

It said the matter remained open to negotiation.

The company also said it presented Unite with what it described as "a fair, improved offer in line with the current rate of inflation", but said that proposal was rejected.

Unite regional organise Sean Smyth said workers had previously enjoyed good industrial relations with the company but claimed the relationship had broken down.

Smyth said the dispute had moved beyond pay, with long-serving employees feeling "hurt" by how they had been treated.

"They've got their workers going to food banks," he said.

"Nobody should have to go to a food bank to survive. We're just asking for a cost of living increase to help buy food and pay the bills.

"You've got people working here for almost 50 years.

"We've had fantastic industrial relations. We always had that good relationship."

Haldane Fisher disputed claims that it had failed to engage with Unite.

The company said the union served notice of an industrial action ballot on 6 May, before any discussions had taken place.

It said that after the ballot result was announced on 3 June it engaged the Labour Relations Agency, attended talks on 8 June and has since continued discussions with union representatives.

Responding to the union's claim that wages had failed to keep pace with inflation, Haldane Fisher said operational employees had received cumulative pay increases of 7% above inflation since 2021.

The company said it recognised the pressure inflation had placed on households but argued that the sector was facing a "cost-of-doing-business crisis" and that any pay settlement must be sustainable to protect jobs and colleagues' long-term security.