Meat inspectors may strike in Scotland

by Nicole Weston, Posted Mar 29th 2006 @ 5:41PM

In response to ongoing talks of change to established pension plans, the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) union in the UK is considering a five-day strike. If a strike went ahead, the slaughterhouses throughout the country of Scotland, where 150 members of the union are employed, would be forced to close - a move that would definitely hurt small businesses and butchers whose customers look forward to picking up fresh products. There would be no alternative to closing during a strike, because the 900-member MHS union inspects the conditions and quality of meat throughout the production and packaging process. Serious safety and health issues could arise from improperly inspected meat. Sources, according the BBC, are reportedly urging the union to rethink it strike position and keep negotiations open, as business closures could have a long-term, negative impact on the economy. Approximately 200,000 public workers in Scotland went on strike on Tuesday to show solidarity with the MHS.

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Filed Under: Business, Newspapers, Ingredients
Tags: abattoir, beef, Britain, british isles, economy, England, great Britain, health, hygiene, hygienic, inspector, labor dispute, Meat, meat hygiene service, pork, safety, Scotland, slaughterhouse, strike, striking, uk, union, workers