Business

Union confirms all-out strike

THE Unite trade union has confirmed that its members at Interface Europe in Craigavon will take all-out strike action this Friday following a ballot where 87.5 per cent voted for the action. Unite organises 90 per cent of shop floor workers, about 100 people in all, at the global textile manufacturer's Craigavon base. Unite's Portadown regional officer Sean McKeever, said: "Interface Inc is one of the most successful carpet tile manufacturers in the world having bases in the Netherlands, Thailand, China and the US. The group's 2013 annual report indicated that on total sales of $960 million, its operating income was $96m (or 10 per cent of total turnover). "While the company's shareholders have benefited from this high rate of profit, our hard-working members have endured years of seeing their wages remain stagnant." He said workers will be initiating an all-out strike from the change of shift at 12.30pm on Friday.