UNITE workers are celebrating winning a recognition agreement at the Glasgow Community Food Network.

Formed in 2017, the project brings together people and organisations in the private, public and third sectors in the city — including chefs and restaurants, farmers and market gardeners, foodbank and soup kitchen volunteers — to build a more sustainable and affordable food system. 

Now that sustainability has been incorporated into a voluntary agreement with Unite, collective bargaining rights will be extended to about 20 full-time and part-time community engagement and education workers, as well as administrative, finance and support officers at the project.

Welcoming the development, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The agreement delivers the foundations for Glasgow Community Food Network workers to achieve better jobs, pay and conditions.”

Unite industrial officer Susanne Napier added: “The recognition agreement was voluntarily negotiated with Glasgow Community Food Network who recognised the benefits of working with Unite. 

“We believe this sends out a positive signal to employers across the Glasgow food industry that working with Unite provides a better working environment for everyone.”