NEWSTop Stories Greencore pay


Following the Unite pay campaign reported in the last edition of Landworker, members at Greencore, the sandwich and convenience food manufacturer, have won a deserved pay award.


All staff are going to receive a 10 per cent increase backdated to April 1, 2023 and an additional 5.25 per cent increase from April 1, 2024.


Workers at Greencore had voted to take industrial action over the initial pay offer but following extensive negotiations the employer agreed to an above-inflation award


ABN recognition win


Unite has negotiated a recognition agreement for over 260 members employed by animal feed and nutritional product manufacturer ABN.


The agreement ensures the union’s growing membership at ABN, which produces a huge proportion of the UK’s pig and poultry feed, have collective trade union bargaining rights over pay and employment conditions.


Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “This is a significant step, workers at ABN now have Unite firmly in their corner to deal with workplace issues and to negotiate on pay.


“This recognition deal demonstrates how Unite’s commitment to defending the jobs, pay and conditions of its members is constantly being extended to cover a growing number of workers.”


The agreement covers drivers and manufacturing staff working at ABN sites in Enstone, Bury St Edmunds, Walsingham, Flixborough, Fridaythorpe, Sherburn, North Allerton, Langwathby, Cupar, Cullompton and Leeds.


Unite national officer Adrian Jones added, “This agreement could not have been achieved without the hard work and solidarity of our reps and members at ABN. Unite will be building on the agreement to ensure the best possible pay and conditions for our members.”


5 uniteLANDWORKERAutumn 2023


Bev Clarkson Unite national officer


Food, drink and agricultural sector Getting the best for you


Here we are again – another winter, another round of unaffordable energy price hikes. Inflation is still high and every day our incredible and hardworking reps are fighting to get the best pay deals for our members, as every day they in turn are fighting to make ends meet.


Within the Food, Drink and Agriculture sector, both myself as national officer and acting national officer Paul Travers are supporting


reps in this mission – and of course Landworker will report on the latest deals as they happen.


Food and farming can be a tough sector and not just as far as wages are concerned. But when the winter weather hits – made worse on these islands by climate change – it becomes abundantly clear, that our equally tough members, working at the sharp end, don’t have it easy.


The recent storms have been devastating for some communities – and no doubt impacted on crops and businesses.


Here in Unite though our business is all about protecting our members – and recruiting new ones – especially those most at risk of exploitation – like migrant workers. Our colleagues in Communications have put together a Know your rights leaflet for migrant workers – available in four languages, for reps to download and print off. See page 2 for details.


Our international work continues apace and I’m proud to say our delegates to EFFAT (European federation of food, agriculture, and


tourism trade unions), Monique Mosely and Ivan Monckton will be attending a social dialogue meeting in Brussels in December to discuss agricultural issues. Their report back will be in the next Landworker.


Our long-awaited book on the Ascott Martyrs is out – available from www.ascottmartyrs.co.uk


Which just leaves me to wish the very best of the season to you and your families. I can’t say that next year will be better – but in Unite we’ll make sure our members get the best deals out of it.


UNITELANDWORKER Comment


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