Pay rise of 3.4% agreed and new grade introduced

FARMWORKERS AND employers have agreed to a 3.4% pay increase and the introduction of a new workers’ grading system.

After three days of negotiation the two sides have decided that there will be a new six-grade structure.

The new Grade 3 will reward workers for developing higher skill levels.

NFU employment issue spokesman, Mr Bob Fiddaman, said: “I am delighted at the positive signals this grading agreement sends out to the industry.

“Both sides have shown that it is their intention to look to the future. It is in all our interests to attract more people into the industry, develop their skills and reward progress.”

The two sides also came to a financial agreement on the rate of increase in the hourly rate for all six grades.

The rate agreed are:

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  Grade 1 £5.05/hr (differential rates for under 18s, under 17s and under 16s are maintained, mirroring the current structure)


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  Grade 2 £5.58/hr


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  Grade 3 £5.91/hr


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  Grade 4 £6.58/hr


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  Grade 5 £6.98/hr


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  Grade 6 £7.53/hr

There will be no age differentials for Grades 2 to 6.

The sides failed to agree on the issue of additional days of paid holiday but a commitment was made in the board to review Sunday working next year.

Mr Fiddaman added: “While the financial settlement is at the top end of what the industry can realistically afford, I believe the overall package, with the addition of the new grading structure, will benefit the industry in the long run.”

“The board has accepted our arguments about skills and career progression so we are pleased to have won on those points,” said Chris Kaufman, the T&G chief negotiator.

“We are, however, disappointed that the pay levels which we believe are necessary have not been agreed. The first hurdle has been overcome but we have not reached the finishing line on this in our view.”

The T&G said it welcomed the Board’s commitment to tackling the pensions issues. “Our members want to know they can have a future to look forward to. We will engage in the debate as to how those pensions will be structured with vigour.”

The Agricultural Wages Board will meet in July to ratify the rates.