UNITE has signed the British labour movement’s first-ever recognition agreement with a private veterinary practice, the union announced today.

The groundbreaking deal between the British Veterinary Union (BVU), part of Unite, and Valley Vets, which has sites in Caerphilly, Ystrad Mynach, Pentyrch and Cardiff, covers about 120 workers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham praised the “historic achievement for the veterinary sector.

“The union recognition is also a huge achievement for the Unite team at Valley Vets,” she said.

“The hard miles of union organisation have delivered. What we need is more similar agreements across the entire sector.” 

The deal provides workers with collective bargaining rights on issues such as pay and changes to terms and conditions.

Employees are also now entitled to union representation for individual matters. 

The BVU represents all staff within the industry, from clinical workers such as veterinary surgeons, nurses and animal care assistants to non-clinical staff including receptionists and practice managers.

It also supports university students of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing. 

BVU chairwoman Suzanna Hudson-Cooke said: “This agreement, providing the workers with the means to organise and then improve their jobs, pay and conditions, will serve as an inspiration to others in the veterinary industry who wish to do the same.”

Valley Vets workplace representative Greg Dixon said: “The many members [here] have waited patiently for this milestone to be reached.

“They are grateful to the negotiating team at Unite for its efforts and are looking forward to working together with their employer to carve out a brilliant future.”