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Meat inspectors vote for strike | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Meat hygiene inspectors across the UK have voted in favour of strike action in a row over work patterns and overtime payments. | |
The planned 72-hour walkout by the government employees will "seriously disrupt" the supply of meat in the run-up to Christmas, Unison has warned. | |
But the Food Standards Agency, which runs the Meat Hygiene Service, said it had plans to limit the strike's impact. | |
Hygiene inspectors are primarily involved in the red meat industry. | |
However Unison claimed the dispute threatened supply of turkeys because some of its members were employed by poultry producers. | |
'Decisive' vote | |
The union, which represents about 1,000 inspectors, said members had given two-to-one backing for industrial action over proposed cuts to overtime payments as well as the introduction of new work patterns that could disrupt family life. | |
Further details of the action would be decided next week, it added. | |
"This is a decisive vote for strike action and shows the strength of feeling of meat inspectors," Unison national officer Simon Watson said. | |
"Unless the employers abandon their plans and get back around the table to negotiate a settlement, the industry could lose millions of pounds in lost meat production in the run-up to Christmas." | "Unless the employers abandon their plans and get back around the table to negotiate a settlement, the industry could lose millions of pounds in lost meat production in the run-up to Christmas." |
High steaks | |
The Meat Hygiene Service said it had hoped to reach a "negotiated settlement which reflected both a fair deal for our staff" while modernising its work practices. | |
Inspectors are employed by the Meat Hygiene Service, part of the Food Standards Agency. | Inspectors are employed by the Meat Hygiene Service, part of the Food Standards Agency. |
The service is responsible for protecting public health and animal health and welfare in the UK by enforcing laws in fresh meat premises. | The service is responsible for protecting public health and animal health and welfare in the UK by enforcing laws in fresh meat premises. |
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