The strikes are against a mere 1% pay rise at a time when inflation is registered at 5%. This “pay increase” also follows a pay freeze two years ago and a small increase last year.
Up to 45 workers took part in a 24-hour strike in July with plans for two other 24-hour strikes being called off after the union went into negotiations. After a pathetic 1.5% pay increase was offered by management, the workers decided down tools and upped the ante by increasing each strike to 48 hours.
Regional organizer of Unite, Gareth Scott told local papers that the first 48-hour strike “was very well supported and, in fact, it was attended by every union member with the exception of those not present at work due to holiday time.”
Kerry Foods are also attempting to pit creamery against creamery by negotiating different pay increases in different creameries. So while workers in Omagh have received a 1% “wage increase,” staff in Coleraine have had a 2% increase and employees at a site in Enniskillen have seen variable increases ranging from 2.5% to 4.3%. Co-ordinated action across all sites would send a powerful message that workers will not be pitted against each other in a race to the bottom but also show the workers in Omagh that they are not isolated.
The Con-Dem chancellor, George Osborne, claims his budget (24 March) is the "most pro-growth budget for a generation". But the British economy is barely crawling along, and the budget will do nothing to promote growth. 
Working people are facing a future of cuts and falling living standards. The new Assembly and Executive have taken over from where the last left off. As we go to press, the exact cuts the main parties are planning remain shrouded in secrecy but it is clear that savage attacks are just around the corner.
With more hikes in fuel prices, this winter will see even more people deciding whether "to heat or eat".