East Suffolk refuse workers will walk out next week unless bosses at the council and contractor Norse come forward with a pay offer that deals with the rising cost of living, warns UNISON today.
Workers will strike for a week from 21 November after an overwhelming vote for action last month. They will also work to rule, only carrying out contractual duties, from Wednesday to Friday this week.
East Suffolk Norse, which is owned by Norfolk County Council, has offered staff a £1,925 rise negotiated for most directly employed local government staff, as well as an additional 75p an hour. But UNISON points out that pay on the East Suffolk contract is so low, the rise would still leave workers struggling.
Staff have recently learnt that Norse workers in Havant, Hampshire, are already earning the pay rates East Suffolk workers are asking for.
The union hopes that talks at conciliation service Acas this week can break the deadlock and avoid disruption to local residents, but warned the firm will need to move on pay for strikes to be called off.
UNISON Eastern regional organiser Cameron Matthews said: “Year upon year of declining wages have left East Suffolk’s refuse workers struggling to make ends meet. Some of them are having to sleep on relative’s sofas or use food banks to eat.
“It can’t be right that people doing exactly the same job for the same employer in Hampshire are earning more than workers here.
“All we’re asking for is a wage that lifts people out of poverty. We desperately hope that Norse and the council will come to their senses and offer workers what they’re asking for so they can keep collecting our bins and keep our streets clean.”
Messages of solidarity can be sent to Norfolk County UNISON.