Meat inspectors’ pay

UNISON general union members working in the meat inspection industry called off a strike planned before Christmas following an agreement on pay. Employers have also agreed to further talks on changes to work patterns.

Meat hygiene inspectors had voted by 65.7% to 34.4% in favour of industrial action over proposals to cut overtime payments and the introduction of a “work anytime” system.

They will now get a pay rise of 2.99% in the new year, backdated to August 2007. The deal “signals a willingness to reach a negotiated agreement” on other issues in dispute, the union said.