“We also raised demands for extended bereavement leave rights – which go way beyond what is available under Stormont law for other workers – but vitally important to migrant agricultural workers – and there is a meeting due when the employers will respond to that. If we secure this additional right it will confirm the AWB delivers results outside general legislation. These results show the continued relevance of the AWB.”
O’Cofaigh hopes that the Unite success in NI “will help re-invigorate the campaign of our comrades in England to re-establish the AWB there to the benefit of their agricultural workforce.”
Following the scrapping of the AWB by the 2010 to 2015 Tory-Lib Democratic Coalition Government, agricultural workers in England are the only part of the UK not covered by a collective bargaining structure. Young workers in particular in England have lost out badly.
Northern Ireland AWB pay rates [from 1 April 2022]
Grade 1 - Minimum rate Applicable for the first 40 weeks cumulative employment - £6.95 per hour
Grade 2 - Standard worker £7.49 per hour
Grade 3 - Lead worker £9.36 per hour
Grade 4 - Craft Grade £10.06 per hour
Grade 5 - Supervisory Grade £10.59 per hour
Grade 6 - Farm Management Grade £11.50 per hour
Should the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage, as applicable, become higher than the hourly rates set out above then the hourly or other minimum rate will default to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage, whichever applies.
For more info contact the Unite Belfast office on 02890 232381
* At time of negotiation, January 2022 inflation was below 5 per cent.
Ukranian workers solidarity flies high at Burston
Pictured is the Ukranian Flag flying high over the Burston Strike School, Burston, Norfolk. It’s an appropriate place indeed as the Burston Strike School march and rally commemorates the longest strike in UK trade union history.
Sadly the festival wasn’t able to take place during Covid – but it is back with a
vengeance this year. The date for your diary for this year’s Burston Rally event is Sunday, September 7.
According to local photographer Peter Smith, “Entertainers so far confirmed are Atila the Stockbroker and The Dave Thomas Blues Band.” I’m sure more details, including that of the speakers, will emerge in due course.
7 uniteLANDWORKERSummer 2022
Peter Everard Smith
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