Sunday 27 May 2012
Headlines
Did you find this story interesting? (0) (0)
30/09/2010 07:30:54
NFU answers union call on wages
The NFU has defended its support for the Coalition Government’s proposals to abolish the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) in the face of vigorous campaigning by trade union, Unite.
The Government announced its intention to scrap the AWB in July this year as part of the Public Bodies (Reform) Bill to be tabled this autumn. Unite, which represents farm workers on the AWB, is campaigning against its abolition and argues that the plans will put thousands of rural and agricultural workers’ pay and conditions in jeopardy.
Speaking after a Labour Party fringe meeting at which the NFU was challenged to justify its stance on the Board, NFU President, Peter Kendall outlined why the NFU was backing the Board’s abolition.
He said: "For a number of years, the NFU has felt that the existence of a Board that negotiates minimum wage rates for farming and horticulture is totally out of step with both developments in wider employment legislation and the farming industry. Contrary to Unite’s assertions that we changed tack only five years ago, the NFU has opposed the continuation of the Board since the introduction of the National Minimum Wage (NMW).
"Unite somehow thinks that the abolition of the Board will lead to a race to the bottom when it comes to agricultural wages. This is just scaremongering. We know full well that farmers, requiring skilled, trained staff have to pay a market premium and offer a range of incentives from housing to additional day’s leave in order to attract and maintain staff.
"Just as Unite has challenged us for answers, I’d challenge them and anyone else to answer one question – why should farming be singled out as a sector by the presence of a unique and separate legislative structure that underpins wage bargaining and employment terms?
"Given the chance, the vast majority of farmers and growers are fully capable of conducting fair and professional negotiations with staff on an individual basis. For those that can’t the NFU along with other organisations will stand by its commitment to the Farming Minister, Jim Paice to put in place a package of measures to ensure that farmers have access to advice and information on their obligations as employers under employment legislation and the conditions that might shape evolution in farm wages.
"The farming industry has enjoyed very positive labour relations and it is important that this continues. It is for this reason that I have accepted Ian Waddell of Unite’s invitation for a meeting to discuss these issues. I do hope that Unite will seek a constructive professional dialogue and not give in to veiled threats of industrial action that have been made by some trade union representatives."
The Government announced its intention to scrap the AWB in July this year as part of the Public Bodies (Reform) Bill to be tabled this autumn. Unite, which represents farm workers on the AWB, is campaigning against its abolition and argues that the plans will put thousands of rural and agricultural workers’ pay and conditions in jeopardy.
Speaking after a Labour Party fringe meeting at which the NFU was challenged to justify its stance on the Board, NFU President, Peter Kendall outlined why the NFU was backing the Board’s abolition.
He said: "For a number of years, the NFU has felt that the existence of a Board that negotiates minimum wage rates for farming and horticulture is totally out of step with both developments in wider employment legislation and the farming industry. Contrary to Unite’s assertions that we changed tack only five years ago, the NFU has opposed the continuation of the Board since the introduction of the National Minimum Wage (NMW).
"Unite somehow thinks that the abolition of the Board will lead to a race to the bottom when it comes to agricultural wages. This is just scaremongering. We know full well that farmers, requiring skilled, trained staff have to pay a market premium and offer a range of incentives from housing to additional day’s leave in order to attract and maintain staff.
"Just as Unite has challenged us for answers, I’d challenge them and anyone else to answer one question – why should farming be singled out as a sector by the presence of a unique and separate legislative structure that underpins wage bargaining and employment terms?
"Given the chance, the vast majority of farmers and growers are fully capable of conducting fair and professional negotiations with staff on an individual basis. For those that can’t the NFU along with other organisations will stand by its commitment to the Farming Minister, Jim Paice to put in place a package of measures to ensure that farmers have access to advice and information on their obligations as employers under employment legislation and the conditions that might shape evolution in farm wages.
"The farming industry has enjoyed very positive labour relations and it is important that this continues. It is for this reason that I have accepted Ian Waddell of Unite’s invitation for a meeting to discuss these issues. I do hope that Unite will seek a constructive professional dialogue and not give in to veiled threats of industrial action that have been made by some trade union representatives."
No Comments
Nobody has posted any comments on this story.
|
Farming items for Sale
|
John Deere - 6930P TRACTOR 2010 - Norwich
(Price on Application)
(Price on Application)
John Deere - 6530 - Byfield
(Price on Application)
(Price on Application)
Ford 6610 2WD - Stanley Chippenham(GBP 7140)
Zetor 7540 - Tiverton(GBP 9950)
New Holland T 8020 - Biddenden(GBP 48000)
Related News
Great Milk Robbery – NFU calls for answers - 08 Sep 2010In a follow up to its Great Milk Robbery Report the NFU is laying down the gauntlet to milk processors and retailers to stop finding excuses and work ...
Agricultural wages board outcome out of step with economic realities says NFU - 19 Jun 2008The NFU has expressed disappointment at the outcome of the Agricultural Wages Board over the conditions underpinning the 2008 Agricultural Wages Order...
NFU disappointed with Agricultural Wages Board settlement - 15 Jun 2011The NFU says it’s disappointed with the outcome of this year’s Agricultural Wages Board negotiations. The AWB has imposed a settlement ...
NFU Vice-President answers Ceredigion farmers concerns - 03 Jul 2007"Food labelling is in urgent need of Government intervention and the NFU proposes that labels should state far more clearly the country of origin rath...
Agriculture union calls for government action - 23 Apr 2008Government should take action after a recent spate of attacks on farmers, the Transvaal Agricultural Union (TAU SA) said on Tuesday. President Paul...
Livestock union calls on EDO agriculture - 13 May 2008As the livestock traders strike entered Day 9, a delegation of the Livestock Traders Welfare Association (LSTWA), led by President Baloch Khan Lashari...
Farming unions call for government rethink - 03 Sep 2008The leaders of the four UK farming unions have written to the National Government urging it to reconsider its plans for Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) re-b...
UK Farming union leaders call for long term confidence from supply chain - 29 Sep 2008UK Farming Union leaders have today called for long term sustainable supply relationships to boost the current fragile confidence of farmers following...
NFU and Italian farming union join over CAP - 14 Feb 2012The NFU and Confederazione Nazionale Coldiretti have united to agree a common statement on the future of the CAP, following top level discussions betw...
NFU cumbria calls for plastic manufacturers to pay recycling costs - not farmers - 13 Jan 2005NFU CUMBRIA County Chairman, Alistair Mackintosh, will urge the Government to place the onus of recycling waste farm plastic onto the manufacturers a...
