Shoppers are being warned about a potential sausage shortage in the UK as employees at a supplier go on strike.
Workers at Pilgrims Europe’s Enniskillen production facility started striking at 6.30am today (September 2).
The strike, which comes amid a dispute over pay, could impact the supply of sausages and other products from some popular UK firms, including Fridge Raiders, Richmond Sausages and Mr Brains Pork Faggots.
Unite says workers want a pay increase and hope that all shift workers will get fully paid breaks, a benefit currently only available to morning shift workers.
An hourly rate of £12.82 (11p above minimum wage) is earned by the lowest paid workers despite Pilgrims Europe's latest reported after-tax profit of £128 million.
At the site, a variety of UK and Irish food brands are produced, including Fridge Raiders, Richmond Sausages, Mr Brains Pork Faggots, Denny sausages (Republic of Ireland) and Rollover sausages, which are sold at football grounds.
Vegan sausages are also produced at the site.
The affected brands can be found at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and more supermarkets across the UK.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Pilgrims is a hugely profitable company making massive profits while its workers earn just pennies above the bare legal minimum.
“It can easily make its workers a fair offer but is choosing not to.
“Our members are determined to win an improved deal - they have the total support of Unite for as long as it takes to achieve that."
Unite regional officer Greg O'Kane said: "Management intransigence has left workers with no alternative but to escalate the strike.
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“Strikes have already heavily impacted production and stocks.
“Pilgrims’ management needs to act now to end this dispute and avoid the risk of empty shelves just when schools are returning and demand for these products surges.”
Newsquest has approached Pilgrims Europe for comment.
Do you buy any of the potentially impacted products regularly? Let us know in the comments below.
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