Zero new confirmed cases in Wrexham – Union say Rowan Foods ‘propose to pay backdated Company Sick Pay’

Unite the Union has said proposals by Rowan Foods to pay sick pay ‘will help enormously in containing this outbreak’.

The day-on-day Public Health Wales dashboard states there have been zero confirmed cases in Wrexham for the last reportable period.

The regular Public Health Wales 2pm statement also has no change on the local outbreak situation, and repeats the figures released yesterday described as a ‘modest increase’ week on week.

Unite the Union say they have met with senior management of Rowan Foods along with Wrexham Council regarding the Covid-19 outbreak amongst the companies workforce. Unite say they are “pleased to confirm that the company now propose to pay Company Sick Pay backdated till June 1st for any Covid-19 positive tested and isolating employees.”

Dave Griffiths, Unite Regional Officer commented: “Unite believes that the payment of sick pay for Covid affected workers at Rowan Foods will help enormously in containing this outbreak and limiting wider community spread.

“Unite has requested that our talks continue with Rowan Foods in line with recent Welsh Government guidance. We are seeking urgent answers from Public Health Wales as to how one site had over 300 recorded infections if the site was not, as they state, the source of the infection. This suggests that a wider public health issue is ongoing in the community.”

“Our focus remains on the workers and the agency staff who will not receive this Company Sick Pay and their safety. Unite welcomes the first positive meeting with the employer and hopes to continue to work closely with it regarding this issue in the coming weeks and months”

The issues connected to Rowan Foods were formally declared an ‘outbreak’ on the 23rd of June, and staff had walked out in early April over concerns relating to working conditions and Covid-19, with several well documented complaints since then.