East Suffolk bin strikes suspended after improved pay offer

Bin strikes in East Suffolk have been suspended after contractor Norse made an improved pay offer, UNISON announced today.

A work to rule that began yesterday has also been suspended following talks facilitated by conciliation service Acas.

East Suffolk Norse workers, who had been due to strike from Monday 21 to Friday 25 November, will consider the revised offer early next week.

Staff voted to walk out following years of stagnant pay that left them struggling to make ends meet, with some relying on foodbanks to eat or being forced to sleep on friends’ sofas, says UNISON.

The union has been calling for a pay rise that lifts workers out of poverty and puts their pay on a similar level to refuse workers elsewhere, including on other contracts held by Norfolk County Council-owned Norse.

UNISON Eastern regional organiser Cameron Matthews said: “We’re glad that East Suffolk Norse took these negotiations seriously and came to the table with an improved offer.

“We have agreed to suspend industrial action so that staff can consider whether to accept the revised offer.”