Key workers walk out at poultry plant over coronavirus fears
Large numbers of workers have walked out at one of Northern Ireland’s main poultry manufacturers, a union said.
Unite regional officer Sean McKeever said the mass departure at Moy Park in Portadown, Co Armagh, is due to concerns over coronavirus.
Unite said it has attempted to secure commitments to ensure a minimum of two metres between workers, and other measures to enable infection control.
Mr McKeever said: “We need to see immediate movement… to address the workers’ legitimate fears over coronavirus transmission.”
Susan Fitzgerald, Unite regional co-ordinating officer, urged the government to act to protect workers.
She said: “Approximately 80 employees at ABP Meats in Lurgan who are deemed essential refused work today over fears for their safety.
“Unite has been informed that the workers are demanding adequate social distancing of two metres be facilitated and enforced and other measures be adopted to keep workers as separated as possible, and deep-cleans are conducted on work stations where workers have self-isolated with coronavirus symptoms.”
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