A man has received a Community Resolution Notice for common assault following an incident at a picket line outside Haldane Fisher’s Newry branch, police have confirmed.
Officers were called to Carnbane Industrial Estate shortly before 7.40am on Thursday, June 11 after a report that a man had been assaulted during an altercation at the picket.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police received a report of assault in Newry on Thursday, 11th June. At approximately 7.40am, it was reported that a man had been assaulted following an altercation at a picket line in Carnbane industrial estate. Officers attended and one man has been issued with a Community Resolution Notice (CRN) for common assault.”
In a new statement issued following the incident, Haldane Fisher stressed that only a small proportion of its overall workforce is involved in the action and said it recognised the right to “lawful, peaceful protest”.
A spokesperson for Haldane Group said: “Industrial action is currently taking place at our Newry branch in relation to a pay claim. Those involved represent approximately 3% of our total workforce. We fully recognise and respect the right of our colleagues to take part in lawful, peaceful protest. Throughout this period, the colleagues involved have conducted themselves peacefully and respectfully, and we acknowledge and thank them for that.
“We remain committed to constructive dialogue as we have previously outlined to our colleagues.”
However, the company also said it had received “a number of complaints” about the behaviour of individuals on the picket line – including what it described as “full-time officials of Unite the Union, and other parties who are not part of our workforce”.
“These complaints relate to the intimidation of customers, suppliers and our colleagues as they enter and leave the premises. We take these reports seriously and are actively investigating them further,” the statement continued.
“Every colleague has the right to feel safe at their place of work, and every customer and supplier has the right to come and go from our premises without feeling intimidated. We will not tolerate any behaviour that compromises that, regardless of its source.
“We continue to support our colleagues, customers and suppliers in Newry and across the business, and we will provide further updates as appropriate.”
The incident comes amid continuing industrial action at Haldane Fisher’s central supply depot in the city, where Unite the Union members have mounted a picket in a dispute over pay.
Up to 40 workers are involved in the strike at the key distribution hub, after Unite members voted to reject what the union described as an imposed two per cent pay rise – a deal they argue is below inflation and does not keep pace with increases in the minimum wage.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham previously said Haldane Fisher staff were “low paid” workers who had “watched their pay fail to keep pace with inflation or increases to the bare legal minimum”, adding: “They are determined to end a practice of having paltry pay increases imposed by management. They can count on the full support of Unite in their struggle for decent pay and respect.”
Regional officer Sean Smyth criticised what he called a “highly disrespectful” approach by management to the union and its members, warning that only an improved offer would avert “severe disruption” to the company’s operations across Northern Ireland.
