Negotiations by the AWB to set minimum wage levels for farmers and growers in England and Wales were held on 14 and 15 June 2010. The outcome of those negotiations is to propose that agricultural minimum hourly wage rates for a maximum 39 hour week rise as follows:
2009 2010 %Grade 1 5.81 5.95 2.4
Grade 2 6.40 6.58 2.8
Grade 3 7.04 7.24 2.8
Grade 4 7.55 7.76 2.8
Grade 5 8.00 8.23 2.8
Grade 6 8.64 8.88 2.8
The above proposals will be submitted to consultation prior to confirmation by the Board on 23 July.
The NFU, which represents employers on the Board, has described the outcome of these negotiations as challenging, although they are a far cry from the 6% across the Board increase claimed by Unite, which represents farm workers. The increases are expected to add £52 million to employment costs at a time when farm incomes are uncertain and costs are rising. The NFU has reinforced its call to the new coalition government to scrap the AWB at the earliest opportunity.
No comments have been made.