Strike threatens Christmas meat
Festive feasts are being put at risk by meat hygiene inspectors who have decided they will strike in a row over work patterns and overtime.
Unison, which represents 1,000 workers in the Meat Hygiene Service, said a vote was held and the two to one backing for industrial action shows the strength of feeling about the situation.
Workers are objecting to planned cuts to overtime payments as well as the introduction of new work patterns, the union said.
Unison has warned that strike action will "seriously disrupt" supplies of meat to supermarkets in the busy pre-Christmas period.
National officer Simon Watson said: "Unless the employers abandon their plans and get back around the table to negotiate a settlement, the industry could lose millions of pounds in lost meat production in the run-up to Christmas."
Another meeting will be held by the union to discuss the next move.
Copyright © Press Association 2008
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