By Julian Whittle

Last updated at 12:34, Thursday, 12 July 2012

Carlisle City Council may intervene in the dispute over changes to workers’ terms and conditions at ready-meals producer Cavaghan & Gray.

Parent company 2 Sisters Food Group wants 800 permanent staff to accept changes to over-time rates, sick pay, redundancy terms and bank holiday working.

The workers rejected the proposals by two to one.

But the company, which is a major supplier to Marks & Spencer, is threatening to impose new contracts.

The workers’ union, Usdaw, put forward compromise proposals last week.

Now Lee Sherriff, a Labour city councillor for Harraby, has tabled a motion for debate when the council meets on Tuesday.

She hopes it will put pressure on 2 Sisters to reach a negotiated settlement.

The motion says: “This council recognises the significant contribution that Cavaghan & Gray and its workers have made to the Carlisle economy by producing high-quality products.....over many years.

“The council therefore calls on 2 Sisters Food Group and Usdaw to negotiate in good faith to achieve a mutually-agreed and reasonable settlement of their current dispute.”

Ms Sherriff attended a mass meeting for workers at Harraby Catholic Club.

She said afterwards: “They are angry and upset at their treatment when they are being quite reasonable and asking the union to negotiate for them. Industrial action is an option but nobody wants that.”

She is also asking Carlisle MP John Stevenson to get involved.

The proposed changes would reduce sick pay, redundancy terms and overtime and bank holiday payments, and restrict paid time off for hospital appointments. The company also wants to scrap a good-attendance bonus and an ill-health termination agreement, streamline the grievance procedure and move weekly-paid staff to monthly salaries.

A spokesman for 2 Sisters said its plans were “focused on ensuring Cavaghan & Gray can remain competitive and sustainable in a tough environment”.

First published at 11:29, Thursday, 12 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk