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Strike 'risks Christmas turkeys' Meat inspectors vote for strike
(about 1 hour later)
A planned strike by meat hygiene inspectors will "seriously disrupt" the supply of turkey and other meat in the run-up to Christmas, Unison has warned. Meat hygiene inspectors across the UK have voted in favour of strike action in a row over work patterns and overtime payments.
The inspectors - who are government employees based across the UK - have voted for the 72-hour walkout in a row about work patterns and overtime. 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.
Unison, which represents about 1,000 inspectors, said members had given two-to-one backing for industrial action. But the Food Standards Agency, which runs the Meat Hygiene Service, said it had plans to limit the strike's impact.
The union added further details of the action would be decided next week. Hygiene inspectors are primarily involved in the red meat industry.
"This is a decisive vote for strike action and shows the strength of feeling of meat inspectors," said Unison's national officer Simon Watson. 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."
Unison said workers were objecting to proposed cuts to overtime payments as well as the introduction of new work patterns that could disrupt family life. High steaks
Gobbled up 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.
Research by Mintel estimates UK poultry sales in 2008 will be about £2.7 billion - up 6.5% from a year earlier.
Turkey sales declined in 2006 and early 2007 in the aftermath of a bird flu scare, but had picked up again by last Christmas.