Meat Hygiene Service - Update Nov/Dec 2008

The MHS is a UK agency, and around 160 UNISON members are meat inspectors working for the MHS in Scotland. They are based across the country in 26 major abbatoirs from Carlisle to Orkney. They inspect and certify meat as fit for human consumption after it has been slaughtered.

All employees of the Meat Hygiene Service in the North of Scotland who wish to join UNISON have been placed with the Aberdeenshire Branch.

Update 1st Dec 2008

MHS dispute called off

Following negotiations last week, on 25th November, UNISON negotiators reached agreement with the Meat Hygiene Service on a resolution to the current dispute.

1.     The MHS have agreed to pay the first year of the two-year pay deal with back pay in January 2009 (2.99%, originally due August 2007)

2.      UNISON has agreed to call off the industrial action

3.      UNISON has agreed to meet in the New Year to discuss revising conditions of service, with conciliation support from ACAS

4.      The MHS have pledged not to impose any changes to conditions while we are in active negotiations and have signed an agreement to this effect. 

Simon Watson, National Officer, said, "UNISON will be mailing this information to all members in the MHS. I would like to thank members for all the work they have put in.  It is only because of the hard work and the determination of our members in the MHS to take 3 consecutive days of industrial action in the run up to Christmas, that we have won this significant victory."

Update 21st Nov 2008

Meat inspectors vote 2-1 for strike action in run-up to Christmas

Britain’s meat hygiene inspectors have voted two to one in favour of strike action in a dispute over cuts to overtime payments and the introduction of a "work anytime" system.

The inspectors, members of UNISON, who make sure that the meat on our plates is safe to eat, voted in favour of strike action by 65.7% to 34.3%. They also voted by 79.5% to 20.5% for action short of a strike. A strike in the meat hygiene service would seriously disrupt supplies of meat to supermarkets in the crucial pre-Christmas period.

Simon Watson, UNISON National Officer for Meat Inspectors, said: "This is a decisive vote for strike action and shows the strength of feeling of meat inspectors. 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 Scotland Regional Officer Joe Lynch said: "In Scotland we have demonstrated a high quality of meat inspection. This is another attack on that. Our members feel demoralised about how they been treated, given their commitment to this vital public service over the years.

"UNISON meat inspectors were originally part of local authority environmental health departments, so they have seen plenty of change and are not scared of it. However the changes proposed - which involve taking away their terms and conditions - is a step too far."

The union meets on Monday (24 November) to discuss the next steps.

Update 3rd Nov 2008

Meat Inspectors in Scotland will ballot for strike action

Meat inspections across Scotland, England, and Wales could be hit by a 72 hour strike in the run up to Christmas.

1,000 meat inspectors (160 in Scotland) will ballot for strike action after their employers - the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) - refused to pay an agreed rise unless they accepted sweeping cuts to overtime payments and changed to a "work anytime" system.Strike action would severely disrupt meat production, including deliveries of meat to supermarkets.

Two of the main changes to terms and condition proposed are: Meat Inspectors will have to work a 37 hour week at any time between 0:01hrs Monday to 24:00hrs Friday, with shifts or place of work subject to change at short notice. Contractual overtime will be abolished, unsocial hours payments and mileage allowances will be cut.

Simon Watson, UNISON National Officer for Meat Inspectors, said: "The changes will have a devastating effect on meat inspectors and their families. Some of our members tell us they will be £100 a week worse off. Others say they will find family life next to impossible. This is a disgusting way to treat staff who have not had a pay rise since August 2006.

"The employers must give staff the agreed pay rise with no strings attached. If strike action goes ahead, the major meat companies and supermarkets face the loss of millions of pounds in meat production, and a shortage of the traditional Sunday roast."

A meat inspector from the North of England (who wishes to remain anonymous) said: "My home life will be shattered if I have to work any time between midnight on Monday to midnight on Friday, often at short notice. I have a young family, and my wife and I need a routine to keep the house running. The cost of everything is going up, but my wages are set to take a massive cut. I stand to lose £100 a week if the meat hygiene service get these changes through, but will be working far more unsocial hours."

A consultative ballot of UNISON Meat Hygiene Inspectors last month showed that 83% were in favour of strike action.

Bullying

The union is also urging the MHS to tackle the culture of bullying and harassment in abattoirs. A UNISON survey revealed 77% of staff had witnessed bullying or harassment, with 59% personally experiencing it whilst at work.

Simon Watson, UNISON National Officer for Meat Inspectors, added: "Meat inspectors work hard to make sure the meat on our plates is safe to eat, but they are being pushed to the limit by excessive workloads, staff shortages and totally unacceptable levels of bullying and harassment. On top of all this, staff are now being denied an agreed pay rise unless they accept sweeping cuts to overtime payments and change to a work anytime system.

Joe Lynch, the lead officer for Meat Inspection in Scotland said "Not only will the changes increase pressure, stress and cut staff take home pay, they threaten the health and safety of us all. Public hygiene and food safety are a crucial protective service, to disrupt inspectors lives by last minute shift change, and tie them to their phones 24/7 - especially in an atmosphere of bullying and humiliation - means and increased risk of worse food safety."

UNISON has warned that Meat Inspectors work in a highly pressurised environment where they are easily identifiable. They will not be able to give attributable public statements.

The UNISON bullying survey results also include: 18% of staff reported that bullying happened daily, and a further 23% said that bullying took place weekly.

39% of meat hygiene inspectors said that bullying took the form of shouting, 35% said bullying included humiliation and a further 28% said it happened through victimisation.

The main causes of bullying were stressed managers (27%), stressed colleagues (30%), staff shortages (33%) and excessive workloads (22%). 56% of staff said they put bullying down to poor management, and 40% of workers said they were too scared to report bullying when it did happen.

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