FOOD sector bosses must support workers with long-term sickness, the BFAWU conference demanded today.

Chris McGill, moving a motion on behalf of his Branch 503, told the conference the industry faces several issues surrounding an “ageing workforce.”

He said: “For too long, many of our workers have found themselves in the unfortunate position of working in their later years, only to find that they are not fit enough to carry out duties they were able to do when they were younger.

“We call on employers to find roles for these workers, many of whom have given 20 to 30 years’ service to one employer, instead of managing them out on capability [grounds].”

Adopting the motion unanimously, delegates agreed their union should support workers in demanding solutions such as job sharing, reducing the working hours with no pay cut, and ensuring health plans are included in their contract terms and conditions.