Fish workers net better deal

Christopher Feenan is taking over from Jim Leneghan as the Unite rep at the Northern Ireland Fishing Harbour Authority (NIFHA) and hopes to maintain recent progress in pay and conditions, reports Mark Metcalf.

NIFHA, a public sector arms-length body funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), manages the ports of Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie, which last year had a combined turnover of £27.4m.

Previously non-unionised, NIFHA staff finally won recognition rights with Unite in late 2023 and a substantial number of workers became members.

Conflict developed after management failed to keep basic pay in line with inflation or award pay increments as recommended in a 2019 external grading review.

Low wages meant it was difficult retaining the skilled staff required to ensure a high standard of service for the private fishing boats. 

A fall in fish landed threatened to damage a fragile rural economy that includes fish processing factories, seaside restaurants, chip shops and supermarkets.

Despite NIFHA declaring itself an accredited Living Wage employer which should have been paying at least £12 an hour (from October 2023) NIFHA had never paid more than the national minimum wage.

Jim had been a loyal NIFHA employee for over 20 years. He said, “I felt betrayed considering our skills, experiences and dedication. The authority was making sufficient monies to treat us better. We were on the £11.44 minimum hourly wage.” 

Based at Ardglass, a fishing port for over 2,000 years, Jim became the elected Unite rep for the three ports. He said, “Taking strike action was considered to help our families.”

In the event strike action was not needed as for the first time ever, Unite could push NIFHA into negotiating.

The positive outcome secured pay increases of 3 per cent for 2024 and 6 per cent for 2025.

Workers received between £2,500 and £3,000 back pay just before Christmas.

Christopher, a deputy harbour master said, “It was a welcome result, we are pretty chuffed.

“Maternity pay has also improved…back pay will be paid out. It is all thanks to Unite.”

A harbour operative now earns £13.31 hourly. Whilst this remains below the voluntary National Living Wage of £13.45 an hour (from March 2026) it is considerably more than the hourly national minimum wage of £12.71 and translates into around £1,100 a year. 

Unfortunately, increased wages have not prevented public sector workers looking for work at the 11 private ports and harbours in Northern Ireland.

Christopher said, “Some key staff have departed. When the authority tried to recruit recently it was impossible to find staff. It would benefit ourselves and the business if we were better paid.”

By Mark Metcalf

This article first appeared in the latest edition of Landworker, Summer 2026, which you can read here.