Union calls for bosses to 'do the right thing' and fully pay Perthshire factory works forced to self-isolate
It comes as 63 positive cases have been reported at the Coupar Angus site, with many more staff off self isolating.
Last updated 19th Jan 2021
Union calls on bosses to fully pay self-isolating workers at COVID hit 2 Sisters plant in Perthshire.
Unite says during the last outbreak at the factory in August 2020 bosses utilised the Job Support Scheme for staff, and is asking them to do the same this time.
The union is also calling for the immediate introduction of lateral flow testing to address concerns over the site's susceptibility to COVID outbreaks.
Susan Robertson, Unite Industrial officer, said: "Unlike other businesses, this highly profitable company has continued to operate during the pandemic and it has employed more staff than ever before at the Coupar Angus site. If workers are fit to be at work but self-isolating due to Public Health Scotland's advice then they should be paid in full it is as simple as that."
Second outbreak at the factory
In August 2020, an outbreak at the factory saw more than 200 cases and the forced closure of the site.
And just last week the Scottish Conservatives Councillor Colin Stewart and Murdo Fraser MSP, slammed the behaviour of “irresponsible” chicken processing workers in the Perthshire town who held an illegal New Year party, which may have led to a sharp rise in Covid cases there.
Incident Management Team stood down
Dr Emma Fletcher, chair of the IMT said, “63 cases of COVID-19 connected to the 2 Sisters food processing plant have now been identified. This was an expected increase, with many of the additional positive cases already self-isolating.
“The Incident Management Team remains reassured that the factory can remain open at this time. The factory is working closely with NHS Tayside’s Public Health team and Food Standards Scotland and all arrangements for contact tracing and self-isolation are in place. Staff are being given appropriate advice and additional support from their relevant Local Authority if needed.
“The IMT is not planning to meet again and NHS Tayside’s Public Health team will keep the situation under close review.”
A spokesperson from the 2 Sisters Food Group said: “We continue to have a positive dialogue with the union at a local level during this period.
"Thankfully the number of positive cases and self-isolations have reduced and as a result the Incident Management Team (IMT ) is not formally meeting at present but remains in close contact with the business.
"We have supported those colleagues self-isolating including approving holiday requests to cover periods off, assisting with Scottish government grant funding opportunities and directing them to our own in-house support fund.”
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