Branch to consult Food Standards Agency members on pay

The Branch will conduct a consultative ballot of FSA members on whether to accept the FSA's implementation of the 2014 pay award. Ballot papers have been issued and need to be returned by Tuesday 15th April.

This follows a decision of the UNISON FSA Sector Committee on 1st April.

The UNISON Sector Committee's view is that the employers' below-inflation pay offer falls far below the aspirations in our 2013-14 pay claim and what our members deserve. It means a further real terms pay cut for our members.

However, the Committee also believes that it is the best offer achievable by negotiation and that only sustained, all-out strike action can achieve an improved pay offer. The type and format of any strike action will be geared to causing the most disruption that can be achieved with the smallest possible effect on members’ take home pay.

Graeme Anderson, Regional Convener FSA

Graeme Anderson, Regional Convenor, FSA said, "UNISON has not accepted this “award” neither have we “rolled over” in fact we were pivotal in ensuring a basic cost of living pay rise for those members unfairly deemed to be the under performers.

"FSA imposed this upon us, after literally no formal negotiation. This is the second year we had a pay award that is well below RPI. This is a real terms pay cut when you compare it with the rising cost of living."

Graeme added, "You need to consider where you place your tick on this consultative ballot paper. Your tick will guide UNISON’s approach as to how we deal with the ongoing situation of FSA imposing real terms pay cuts on our members and it will be crucial to the decision on whether or not we run a full ballot for industrial action.

"We need to make it clear that although this was imposed upon us, it is in our opinion the best that can be achieved by negotiation."