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• Prime minister uses ‘dodgy statistics’ to undermine the NHS, says Unite
• Britain more secretive, less effective and not on the side of ordinary people as government rushes to shut down public b
• Close £25bn of tax avoidance loopholes as economy goes into tailspin, says Unite
• Weak employment laws to blame for Pfizer's decision to close R&D site in Kent
• Save Burton’s at Moreton campaign launch
• Don't shoot the messenger - work with us for a fair deal for farming, Unite tells the NFU
• Cameron's 'Big Society' just empty words as cuts deny 400,000 young people the chance to volunteer
• Industrial action at Manchester city council moves one step closer over plans to axe 2,100 jobs
• 13,000 join forces to make Warwickshire council explain plans to axe Youth Service
• The Church of England ‘filibuster’ over the case of Revd. Mark Sharpe

Don't shoot the messenger - work with us for a fair deal for farming, Unite tells the NFU

4 February 2011

Unite, the union which speaks on behalf of 154,000 agricultural workers, has urged the National Farmers Union (NFU) to stop attacking Unite and to join forces to win a fair deal for farming.

Unite expressed disappointment when the pay claim it submitted on behalf of agricultural workers was described as "outrageous" by the NFU yesterday (Thursday 3 February). Unite submitted its annual pay claim on behalf of agricultural workers in England and Wales earlier this week, calling for a substantial counter-inflationary pay rise and an extra day’s leave linked to Workers’ Memorial Day.

Unite national officer, Ian Waddell, said: “The NFU's response to our claim is disappointingly familiar. No matter what agricultural workers ask for the NFU responds with hyperbole and inflammatory language before it has even heard the reasons behind the claim. It's time to stop shooting the messenger.

“It will be really tough for agricultural workers this year with massive increases in the price of food and fuel and they are struggling to survive - all we're asking for is recognition of that. We know it will be tough for farmers as well. I urge the NFU to break with tradition and work with us to get a fair deal for farming from the supermarkets and food processing industry.”

Unite wants to work side by side with the NFU and other employers in agriculture to get better margins for farmers, arguing that a more profitable industry will fuel higher wages and increased professionalism.

Mr Waddell added: “We must educate consumers to understand that the life blood is being squeezed out of farming by supermarkets and food processors which drive farm gate prices down to boost their own profit margins. Every time a shopper picks up food with a 'buy one, get one free' offer, it's at the expense of farmers and their workers who have to cover the cost of supermarket promotions, swallowing losses to keep their contracts.

“I urge the NFU to rise above petty squabbles rooted in the past and work with us to tackle the unsustainable structure of the food supply chain. Together we can tackle the retail giants and build a farming industry with fair pay, reasonable hours and a professional career structure.”

ENDS

For further information contact Ian Waddell on 07768 931269 or Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite press office on 020 7420 8914 or 07980 224761.