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Unite’s vet members and Valley Vets sign recognition agreement
Historic agreement – BVU signs first private vet deal
Unite recently signed the first ever recognition agreement in the UK with a private veterinary practice.
An ‘historic’ first ever agreement, it is between the British Veterinary Union (BVU) in Unite and Valley Vets in Wales, which has sites in Caerphilly, Ystrad Mynach and Pentyrch, and two in Cardiff, covering around 120 workers.
It was hailed as a ‘huge achievement’
by Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham. Sharon said, “This is an historic achievement for the veterinary sector, as the first-ever union recognition agreement in a private veterinary company in the UK.
“The union recognition is also a huge achievement for the Unite team at Valley Vets. The hard miles of union organisation have delivered. What we
need is more similar agreements across the entire sector.”
The agreement provides workers with collective bargaining rights over issues such as pay and changes to terms and conditions. Workers are also entitled to union representation over individual matters.
The BVU represents all workers within the veterinary industry – from clinical staff such as veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and animal care assistants to non-clinical staff, such as receptionists and practice managers. It also supports university students of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing.
BVU chair Suzanna Hudson-Cooke endorsed Sharon’s statements adding, “This agreement, providing
10 uniteLANDWORKERSummer 2023
Valley Vets workers with the means to organise and then improve their jobs, pay and conditions, will serve as an inspiration to others in the veterinary industry who wish to do the same.”
Valley Vets workplace rep Greg Dixon said, “The many members at
Valley Vets have waited patiently for this milestone to be reached. They are grateful to the negotiating team at Unite for its efforts and are looking forward to working together with their employer to carve out a brilliant future.”
Obviously vet workers work closely
with Unite agricultural workers and Landworker wishes the BVU every success in its campaign to get further recognition with private practices – especially in rural areas.
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