Meat inspectors vote for strike

Meat inspectors uphold public health and animal welfare laws

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."

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.

The service is responsible for protecting public health and animal health and welfare in the UK by enforcing laws in fresh meat premises.