Solidarity With Hovis Strikers!

Workers at Belfast Hovis Bakery plant have begun industrial action after negotiations broke down with management earlier in the week. Bakers at Hovis have been tirelessly demanding pay parity with fellow workers in Hovis plants across England which would have seen a 10 percent increase in salaries. However Hovis bosses refused offering a derisory 3 percent which was rounded rejected by workers. It is now throught that strike action could dramatically effect bread supplies throughout the North as a result.

A spokesperson for the Industrial Workers of the World in Belfast offered its solidarity with striking Hovis workers in a message released earlier today.

"The Industrial Workers of the World extend our solidarity to members of Unite and the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) who have taken the brave step of strike action to demand better pay.

"It's no exaggeration that workers across the North, in many different workplaces face poverty due to ridiculously low levels of wages. Wages which are far below what their counterparts receive in Scotland, England or Wales. For years we have witnessed the political establishment, hand-in-glove with the bosses, sell this place as a low wage economy. A place where they could treat workers badly, and pay workers whatever they like. Thankfully workers, such as those workers at Hovis here in Belfast are saying no more by taking strike action.

"As we grow in unionised strength and numbers, workers must reject poverty pay and demand parity with workers in similar sectors. Only when we are unionised can we fight back more effectively as workers. Only then will we achieve what is rightfully owed to us.

"We extend our solidarity with Hovis workers and all those who draw a line in the sand and say no more. Enough is enough."