Unite and Defra clash over AWB dissolution

Battle lines are being drawn as Trade Union Unite accuses Farming Minister Jim Paice of enabling a pay freeze for thousands of low-paid farm workers.

In a press release issued on 6^th December, the union alleges that Jim Paice has attempted to "railroad" the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) ahead of pay negotiations.

The board is responsible for monitoring accommodation, overtime and sick pay of agricultural workers. The AWB’s dissolution was announced by Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman in July, claiming the government's aim in dissolving the body was to “bring agricultural workers in England within scope of the National Minimum Wages Act”. The National Farmers' Union has called the AWB an "industrial relations relic".

Mr Paice, in a letter to the AWB dated 30th November, declared that the board were under no obligation to increase wages and suggested they "take a pragmatic view", as the government had been clear about their intentions to dissolve it.

However, Unite has pledged to continue with "business as usual" and present a pay claim on behalf of agricultural workers early next year. The union currently negotiate with the AWB on pay, terms and conditions on behalf of 154,000 agricultural workers.

Ian Waddell, Unite National Officer has claimed that Jim Paice’s message is clear, "His letter is a blatant attempt to railroad the AWB into implementing a pay freeze for poorly paid farm workers which will last until at least October 2012. He has previously said that the government's intention in abolishing the AWB is not to drive wages down, but now he's trying to cut pay in real terms before the AWB has even gone."

A Defra spokesperson told Farming Online "Jim Paice has not recommended a pay freeze for agricultural workers. In his correspondence with the AWB, the Minister was reminding the AWB that after the bodies’ abolition, agricultural wages will be set in line with existing national minimum wage legislation.”

Nevertheless, its supporters maintain that the AWB is relevant because farming work still involves low pay, dangerous work and seasonal employment.