Richard Boyd Barrett: Haldane Fisher Must Negotiate
Richard Boyd Barrett addresses the Taoiseach about workers at Haldane Fisher in Newry who are on strike over pay offers that fall below inflation. He urges Haldane Fisher to negotiate with Unite the Union and to give pay rises that prevent real income loss.
Richard Boyd Barrett describes the strike by workers at Haldane Fisher, a major construction supplier operating in Ireland and the UK. He notes the dispute centres on pay offers from a profitable company that are significantly below the rate of inflation.
Boyd Barrett highlights that workers estimate a three to four percent loss in real income in recent years. He emphasises that Unite the Union represents the staff and that the company is currently refusing to negotiate with the union.
The speaker connects the dispute to wider political consequences, arguing that failures to address the cost of living have political fallout. He specifically references Keir Starmer in the context of broader leadership accountability over cost of living failures.
Richard Boyd Barrett calls for a clear message to Haldane Fisher: engage with the workforce and offer pay increases that at least keep pace with inflation so workers do not lose income. He frames the demand as a basic fairness test for employers and policymakers.
Strike at Haldane Fisher
Richard Boyd Barrett describes the strike by workers at Haldane Fisher, a major construction supplier operating in Ireland and the UK. He notes the dispute centres on pay offers from a profitable company that are significantly below the rate of inflation.
Real income and union demands
Boyd Barrett highlights that workers estimate a three to four percent loss in real income in recent years. He emphasises that Unite the Union represents the staff and that the company is currently refusing to negotiate with the union.
Refusal to engage and wider politics
The speaker connects the dispute to wider political consequences, arguing that failures to address the cost of living have political fallout. He specifically references Keir Starmer in the context of broader leadership accountability over cost of living failures.
Call for company action
Richard Boyd Barrett calls for a clear message to Haldane Fisher: engage with the workforce and offer pay increases that at least keep pace with inflation so workers do not lose income. He frames the demand as a basic fairness test for employers and policymakers.
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Transcript
Taoiseach, workers at Haldane Fisher in Newry, one of the biggest construction supplier companies in the whole of Ireland, north and south and in the UK and they're on strike because Haldane Fisher, a very profitable company, is offering them pay increases that are significantly below the rate of inflation. The workers reckon they've actually lost about three or four percent in real income terms over recent years and Haldane Fisher, who seem to be trying to break the strike, are refusing to negotiate with Unite the Union who represent the workers. I would say one reason why Keir Starmer is on his way out is because he failed working people on the cost of living crisis something we shouldn't do and I think it's important that a message is sent to Haldane Fisher. They should engage with these workers. Workers do deserve, these workers and all workers deserve, pay increases that at least keep pace with inflation so they're not losing income.