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Meat inspectors' strike looming Meat inspectors' strike looming
(about 2 hours later)
British meat inspectors have said they will go on strike between 2-4 December in a dispute which threatens to disrupt meat deliveries before Christmas.British meat inspectors have said they will go on strike between 2-4 December in a dispute which threatens to disrupt meat deliveries before Christmas.
Their union, Unison, said two-thirds of its members voted for industrial action demanding better pay conditions. Their union, Unison, said two-thirds of its members voted for industrial action in a dispute over pay and conditions.
The Meat Hygiene Service, which employs the inspectors, said it hoped to avert the strike through further talks.
"I firmly believe that we can reach an agreement", said Steve McGrath, the Meat Hygiene Service's chief executive.
He added that the service had prepared contingency plans to reduce the impact of a 72-hour walkout.
"We continue to plan for every eventuality and we are working closely with the meat industry to ensure that in the regrettable event of industrial action, disruption will be minimised".
Pay debate
Unison represents 1,000 inspectors, or 80% of the work force.Unison represents 1,000 inspectors, or 80% of the work force.
The Meat Hygiene Service has insisted that the planned 72-hour walkout by workers can still be averted through further negotiations. It said meat inspectors had not had a pay rise since 2006, which was not common in the public sector.
It said it had made contingency plans to make sure meat production is not affected ahead of Christmas. "Our members tell us that two-thirds of them have to work overtime just to be able to get a decent weekly wage, some of our members have to moonlight at Tesco's", Unison's national officer for meat inspectors, Simon Watson, told the BBC.
Unison said meat inspectors had not had a pay rise since 2006, which was not common in the public sector.
"Our members tell us that two-thirds of them have to work overtime just to be able to get a decent weekly wage, some of our members have to moonlight at Tesco's", Unison's national officer for meat inspectors, Simon Watson told the BBC.
The British Meat Processors Association estimated that a strike by meat inspectors could cost the industry £3m.The British Meat Processors Association estimated that a strike by meat inspectors could cost the industry £3m.