Slicing agency workers’ pay leads to dispute at Hovis
Page 6
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
By Patric Cunnane
EVIDENCE HAS emerged that some operators are trying to get round the Agency Workers Regulations. Under the regulations, introduced last month, agency drivers receive equal pay to employed drivers after 12 weeks.
The regulations have sparked a dispute at bakers Hovis. The United Road Transport Union (URTU) says Hovis, owned by Premier Foods, is introducing a trainee rate for new starters to cut 10% off agency drivers’ pay.
A consultative national ballot of more than 600 Hovis drivers has allowed URTU to ballot for industrial action if necessary. URTU was due to meet the irm yesterday for further talks.
URTU national oficer Mel Thornton says the trainee rate will be paid to new starters for six months, but agency drivers will remain on it and further wage cuts could follow. Agency drivers should get the same pay as their workforce equivalent. He denies the regulations would cost employers too much.
A spokesman for Premier Foods says: “The regulations are an added cost. We are in talks with URTU to seek a suitable resolution.” The Swedish Derogation in the Directive (negotiated by Sweden) exempts agency drivers from the right to equal treatment on pay if the agency provides a permanent contract and some drivers supplied to Sainsbury’s and Morrisons work under such terms.
“Temporary workers are supplied through a third party,” says a Sainsbury’s spokesman. “We can’t comment on speciic contractual arrangements.” A Morrisons spokesman says: “We will be offered temporary workers who may be employed by recruitment agencies with employment contracts referred to as Swedish Derogation.”