Argument over pickers intensifies

The firm says the union needs a special unit for migrant workers

The row between a Herefordshire fruit company and the T&G union over working practices has intensified.

Union leaders are pursuing a number of concerns over the alleged treatment of workers, who include a large number of migrants contract workers.

S&A Produce at Brierly Court Farm in Leominster, Herefordshire, said claims of poor treatment were unjustified and part of a campaign to smear the firm.

The T&G said it was responding to concerns raised by the workforce.

All the company's done is fob us off Roger Shutt, T&G

The union told BBC News that grievances covered three main areas - pay and productivity; working practices, such as claims of bullying and inconsistent discipline procedures; and health and safety, such as access to drinking and washing water while in the fields.

Roger Shutt of the T&G said of the workers: "They've got problems. They wanted us to deal with them."

'Unsubstantiated' allegations

He added: "We've tried to deal with them, and we've tried to get an agreement with the company to deal with them in the future in a much better way.

"All the company's done is fob us off."

We've just run out of patience with the T&G Russell Griffin, S&A Produce

S&A has said that practices have changed, but many of the union's allegations were unsubstantiated and it accusing the union of running a smear campaign.

Russell Griffin, from S&A Produce said: "We've been talking to them (the T&G) for months on end.

"During that time we've had to live with various allegations, defamatory statements about our company made by them, and now we've reached the point where we are simply fed up.

"We've just run out of patience with the T&G and their tactics.

"We do believe there is a role for the T&G in the future, but they really do need to need to establish a special unit to deal with migrant workers," said Mr Griffin.

Talks between the two sides broke down last week.