Meat vets’ recognition

UNISON has won a key recognition battle at Grants Veterinary Services for over 170 vets and contract meat inspectors.

The company won a contract with the Food Standards Agency (formerly the Meat Hygiene Service) to supply vets for abattoirs, and meat inspectors.

The majority of staff became union members after a recruitment drive. But the company rejected voluntary recognition and instead tried to form a staff council run by managers.

The Central Arbitration Committee found 53% of the 172 workers in the bargaining unit were already UNISON members, and awarded recognition without a ballot, after the company tried a “variety of methods to keep the union out of the picture,” the union said.