The NFU has defended its support for the coalition government’s proposals to abolish the Agricultural Wages Board, in the face of vigorous campaigning by the trade union, Unite.
The government announced its intention to scrap the AWB in July this year as part of the Public Bodies (Reform) Bill to be tabled this autumn.
Unite, which represents farm workers on the AWB, is campaigning against its abolition and argues that the plans will put thousands of rural and agricultural workers’ pay and conditions in jeopardy.
Speaking after a Labour Party Conference fringe meeting at which the NFU was challenged to justify its stance, President, Peter Kendall, said: “For a number of years, the NFU has felt that the existence of a board that negotiates minimum wage rates for farming and horticulture is totally out of step with both developments in wider employment legislation and the farming industry.
“Contrary to Unite’s assertions that we changed tack only five years ago, the NFU has opposed the continuation of the Board since the introduction of the National Minimum Wage.
“Unite has stated publicly that the NFU has, I quote ‘no answers’ on the abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board. In fact the answers are clear and compelling.
“The board has failed to modernise in recognising that many farm workers are employed on the basis of an annual salary or paid on the basis of piece work, which are not provided for under the Agricultural Wages Order.
“The order is fiendishly complicated for many family farms to navigate and overlays wider legislation governing minimum pay and conditions of employment.
“It presents almost farcical situations for those farming businesses where employees may be performing work that is both agricultural (governed by AWB) and non-agricultural (governed by the National Minimum Wage).
“The board represents an unnecessary cost to the taxpayer and many of its recent settlements have failed to ensure that salaries reflect the wider employment market creating massive frustration amongst farmers.
“Unite somehow thinks that the abolition will lead to a race to the bottom when it comes to agricultural wages. This is just scaremongering. We know full well that farmers, requiring skilled, trained staff have to pay a market premium and offer a range of incentives from housing to additional day’s leave in order to attract and maintain staff.
“Just as Unite has challenged us for answers, I’d challenge them and anyone else to answer one question – why should farming be singled out as a sector by the presence of a unique and separate legislative structure that underpins wage bargaining and employment terms?
“Given the chance, the vast majority of farmers and growers are fully capable of conducting fair and professional negotiations with staff on an individual basis. For those that can’t, the NFU along with other organisations will stand by its commitment to the farming minister, Jim Paice to put in place a package of measures to ensure that farmers have access to advice and information on their obligations as employers under employment legislation and the conditions that might shape evolution in farm wages.
“The farming industry has enjoyed very positive labour relations and it is important that this continues. It is for this reason that I have accepted Ian Waddell of Unite’s invitation for a meeting to discuss these issues. I do hope that Unite will seek a constructive professional dialogue and not give in to veiled threats of industrial action that have been made by some trade union representatives.”
- Dan leggett - 01/10/2010
I agree with David, from the comments thus far it is clear to see that the word minimum is the constant attraction and benchmark. I feel sorry for the young folk entering our industry. As a young guy working on family farm I was denied having public holidays off, we were always too busy for summer holidays, the'price of corn was bad' so they couldn't afford more - though at Christmas the farmers wife had a new Volvo estate and the daughter a new horsebox. The benefits today are down to the AWB and no one else. Who will stand up to our rights from now on?
- Don Arden - 01/10/2010
The abolition will definitely lead to a "race to the bottom" with regard to wages, especially for younger and less skilled workers.
- Michael Lewin-Harris - 30/09/2010
I do not know who 'Captain Swing' is, but I do wonder in which century, or even millennium, he is living! As a small, semi-retired farmer, I am right behind Peter Kendall.