Workers at Rye Valley Foods, a Carrickmacross subsidiary of Golden Vale, have voted to strike on April 12th after rejecting an increased wage offer made by management. The company produces mainly frozen meals, most of which are exported. The company was acquired by Golden Vale last year for around £17 million. A recently announced expansion is expected to create 260 jobs.
Management offered workers with over two years' service an increase of £15.05 or 8.8 per cent per week, while those with under two years' service were offered £9.87 per week, or an increase of 5.7 per cent.
This represents a weekly equivalent of £180 to £185 gross per week respectively and is in line with the recent Labour Court recommendation and the Partnership 2000 agreement. The offer was rejected earlier this month by the union members by a margin of five to one.