‘Excellent deal’

Unite has negotiated an inflation busting pay increase for all workers at poultry producer Two Sisters working in its Midlands workplaces.

After extensive negotiations an agreement between Unite and Two Sisters’ management hammered out a 9.3 per cent two year pay deal. The two year deal sees a 4.6 per cent increase backdated to April 2018 with a further 4.7 per cent increase to come into effect in April 2019.

The deal primarily covers the Two Sisters principal poultry sites in West Bromwich (site D) and Wolverhampton (site E) and covers 1,500 workers.

The deal preserves all the existing terms, conditions and working patterns for the current morning and afternoon shifts. The deal will also see the recruitment of 250 staff on a covering shift, which will allow Two Sisters to undertake seven day working.

Unite food drink and agriculture officer Joe Clarke said, “This is an excellent deal for our members it provides a pay increase well above inflation while maintaining terms and conditions.

“Since the crisis in Two Sisters last year we have been in extensive discussions to ensure the viability of the company’s sites in the Midlands.

“This deal maintains our members existing Monday to Friday working arrangements and preserves their work life balance,” he added. “The deal also creates new jobs with the introduction of a new shift pattern over four days to give the company a seven day operation.”

Unite regional officer Andy Hall added, “The negotiations have been long and arduous but they demonstrate that Unite and Two Sisters can work together. It is paramount that this agreement is developed and there is a better industrial relationship in the future.

“The deal gives stability to our members and ensures that their work life balance has not been affected.”