Meat packers at ABP’s Craigavon plant are set to vote on strike action after rejecting the company’s latest pay offer.

Union Unite said more than 150 workers, including meat packers, trimmers, distribution, kill line and boning staff, will be balloted from 25 September to 13 October at its Northern Ireland site.

The union claim the dispute centres on a cost-of-living pay claim for workers on piece rates. ABP, one of the UK’s biggest meat processors, has offered a 3.2% increase alongside a one-off £100 payment, but Unite said the deal amounted to a real-terms pay cut given rising living costs.

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Unite general secretary Sharon Graham accused ABP of “prioritising profits over people”, arguing that the meat processor could afford a fairer settlement.

“ABP food group is a highly successful company whose success is built by its workers,” she said. “The ABP workers at Craigavon can count on the full support of Unite in their fight for a cost of living pay increase.”

Regional officer Sean Smyth warned that strike action would cause “severe disruption” and urged management to return to the table with an improved offer.

ABP has been contacted for comment.