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2.5 Per Cent Pay Increase Over the Minimum Rates Proposed for Agricultural Workers
24/09/1998
A pay claim submitted by the Workers' Representative members was considered by the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board on 22 and 23 September 1998. After full consideration the Board made the following proposals:-
The new minimum rates of pay for adult workers aged 19 and over payable for the first 39 hours per week, will be:-
- £3.20 per hour for those in the first 13 weeks of employment, payable from 1 January 1999 and £3.60 per hour payable from 1 April 1999 to take account of the National Minimum Wage.
- £4.26 per hour from 1 January 1999 and £4.33 per hour payable from 1 April 1999 for those employed for more than 13 weeks.
- This represents a staged 2.5% increase over the existing rates with 1% payable on 1 January 1999 and the balance of 1.5% on 1 April 1999.
- Proportionate increases will be made in all other rates. Increases to £3.00 per hour for workers aged 18 in the first 13 weeks of employment will take effect from 1 April 1999 to take account of the National Minimum Wage.
- The additional sum payable to workers with appropriate qualifications will be 64 pence per hour from 1 January 1999 and 65 pence per hour from 1 April 1999. In addition the Board agreed to an extra day's special holiday on 31 December 1999 to celebrate the Millennium.
- The Board also agreed on an option for payment of wages to be made by equal instalments throughout the year. This optional method of pay will be known as a "Stable Income Arrangement".
- The Board emphasised the importance of good pension arrangements within the industry and asked its Committee to maintain a close watching brief on pension discussions presently going on in England and Wales.
- The Board remitted consideration of the Working Time Regulations and the National Minimum Wage Regulations to its ad hoc committee to assess the impact of these Regulations on agricultural wages.
The Board's proposals will be advertised forthwith in detail, and November 2 1998 has been fixed as the closing date by which representations must be received. The Board will meet again on 10 November 1998 to consider representations and, if they so decide, will make an Order to give effect to their proposals.
The Board also plan to meet in January 1999 to consider whether an amendment to the Wages Order may have to be made in the spring to take account of the National Minimum Wage and Working Time Regulations.
BACKGROUND
The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board is constituted under the Agricultural Wages (Scotland) Act 1949. It is an autonomous body and comprises 17 members, 6 representing the interests of employers nominated by the National Farmers' Union of Scotland and the Scottish Landowner's Federation, 6 representing the interests of workers nominated by the Transport and General Worker's Union, and 5 independent members appointed by the Secretary of State, one of whom is designated Chairman.
News Release: 1924/98
24 September, 1998