Agriculture Minister Poots, a member of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, has been challenged by Unite over compliance with the Ministerial Code of Conduct over his decision to deliver on longstanding UFU…Read more…
The struggles of rural poverty
Every year, or at least every normal year, the annual Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival takes place in the village of Tolpuddle, in Dorset, where trade unionists from across the UK gather to commemorate…Read more…
‘The doctor won’t see you’ – as rural surgeries close
The picturesque Cornish fishing village of Mevagissey was up against a problem faced by many rural and coastal areas – it desperately needed a GP. When their local family doctor Dr Katherine…Read more…
‘Taking agriculture backwards’
Unite has criticised Tory MPs for blocking an amendment to the Agriculture Bill that would have paved the way for establishing minimum standards for farmworkers who’ve seen their pay, terms and…Read more…
Bring back AWB call
The annual Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival, held in Dorset each year, commemorates Britain’s first instance of trade unionism, when farmworkers first organised for better pay in 1833. But nearly…Read more…
Work with the Board
Less than a year ago, the Scottish government did the right thing and decided to retain its Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB) which sets minimum wages and terms and conditions for farm workers. …Read more…
Wales farm workers pay result
Farm workers in Wales celebrated on Friday (February 26) as they received a six per cent pay rise, after the Welsh government signed off on an historic Order enabling it to set its own minimum rates….Read more…
Bulwark against exploitation
Unite has yesterday (December 22) welcomed the Scottish government’s ‘sensible’ decision to retain the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB) following a prolonged campaign to protect the minimum…Read more…
Pay result for Wales’ farm staff
Farmworkers in Wales are set to be awarded a hefty six per cent cumulative pay rise through an Interim Agricultural Wages Order, leaving England’s agricultural workers further behind after the…Read more…
Rural employment race to bottom
The National Farmers Union (NFU) of Scotland demanded yesterday (August 5) that the Scottish government abolish the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB). Unite has slammed the NFU warning…Read more…
Hanging in the balance
The future of the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB) hangs in the balance as the new Scottish government look at the option of scrapping it yet again in a consultation set to close at the end…Read more…