Unite calls for consultation over abolition of Agricultural Wages
Board
13 October 2010
Unite the union has urged farming minister Jim Paice to
undertake widespread consultation over the government's proposed
abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board, rather than pressing
ahead in the face of divided opinion in the farming industry.
At a meeting held today (13 October), Unite national officer,
Ian Waddell, warned the minister that abolishing the Agricultural
Wages Board could have dire consequences for farming and farm
workers.
The meeting was arranged after TUC deputy general secretary,
Frances O'Grady, highlighted trade union concerns that abolition of
wage protection for farm workers could lead to exploitation and
falling living standards in rural areas. Unite speaks on behalf of
154,000 agricultural workers. Wages, terms and conditions are set
by the Agricultural Wages Board.
Speaking after the meeting, Unite national officer, Ian Waddell
said: "We have urged Jim Paice to pause before pressing ahead with
abolition of the AWB. There was no consultation with either the
National Farmers Union (NFU) representing farmers, or Unite
representing farm workers, before abolition was announced.
“Agriculture is critical to food supplies in this country and we
have very real concerns. Based on evidence following the demise of
other wages councils in the 1990s, wages will fall post abolition.
There is already a shortage of skilled labour and this will only be
exacerbated if wages are under pressure, jeopardising our food
security. The industry should be properly consulted with a view to
reaching consensus on the way forward."
The minister agreed that Unite and the TUC should contribute to
an impact assessment which will need to be carried out to measure
the effects of abolition. However, he refused to delay legislation
or modify the government's proposal, which he said was now
coalition policy.
Mr Waddell added: “For many months we have worked jointly with
the NFU to overcome any difficulties it had with the AWB, and
indeed, we have been talking behind the scenes with the NFU and
with Defra officials about a legislative reform order to update the
Agricultural Wages Act.
“I am bitterly disappointed that the pragmatic and responsible
work we have done on modernising the AWB, reducing red tape and
increasing flexibility will have been a wasted effort if the
government presses ahead with abolition. I urge the NFU to join
with us in calling for the AWB to be reformed, not scrapped.”
ENDS
For further information contact: Jody Whitehill, Unite press
office on 07768 693956 or Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315
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