Network Journal 2007 Issue 2 March/April

New deal at Grampian

Reps from a number of Grampian Country Food Group sites from across the UK attended their first national forum meeting in Warrington in February.

"The national forum is not a negotiating committee," said national officer Bill Snell opening the session. "It's a national platform for reps from across all our sites to meet and discuss issues that affect them."

Reps agreed that the forum should become a regular quarterly event and a steering group should be set up to meet in between forums to draw up the agenda and discuss issues for forthcoming events.

The event was also used to seal a new agreement with the company which will give agency workers better terms and conditions. "This is a very important development," added Bill. "It fits in perfectly with our migrant and agency workers campaign."

Convenor at one of the company's biggest sites in Malton, North Yorkshire Phil Swailes was encouraged by these latest developments. "This is a critical point in the relationship between Usdaw and the Grampian Group," he said. "For the first time we sat down to discuss matters which potentially affect employees and management alike. One key aspect of the discussion was the improvement of communications, from both the site and group level.

"I am confident that this could result in greater integration, which not only assists staff morale, but increases motivation levels throughout the workforce, which will positively affect profit levels.

"The New Grampian/Usdaw Agency agreement provides the platform for reps to not only recruit, but to provide a crucial service to Agency workers within the group.

"This hopefully will be built upon in subsequent meetings. The levels of temporary workers within the group being an obvious topic for the forum to debate.

"The first Grampian Forum should be an encouragement to all members that Usdaw can make a difference and that through involvement great things can be achieved which will benefit our members.

"This is especially important bearing in mind the recent structural changes and challenges to the business in future. I believe that the forum did demonstrate to both sides that we need each other, if the group is to succeed then it will be as a result of efforts by all employees, who should be encouraged and greatly valued by the company."

New agreement on agency workers

The agreement will allow for shop stewards to attend inductions. It will also support a number of initiatives to help agency workers whose first language is not English, such as language tuition and the production of relevant company policies and health and safety legislation publications in other languages.

The agreement also provides a commitment from the company to develop lifelong learning and to facilitate access to ESOL training where appropriate.

The agreement also covers strict guidelines for labour providers who will have to have been approved by the Gangmaster Licensing Authority. These include contracts in the workers' own language, housing provision that conforms to national minimum standards, health and safety training, representation at grievances and disciplinaries.

It also bans discrimination in hiring, hours of work, compensation, access to training or retirement based on race, ethnic or national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation.

Agency workers will be considered for permanent positions as part of the normal recruitment process. And a joint review between site management and the agency supplier will take place annually for those workers who have completed 26 weeks continuous employment.

 Printer Friendly Page

 Email to a Friend

© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
This page: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/getactive/network_journal/18/grampian_deal.html
Last Modified: Wednesday, 18-Apr-2007 20:04:46 EST
Proudly designed and programmed by Social Change Online
Site Credits