Newham Council is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with Unite the Union, ending the pay and conditions dispute in waste, street cleansing and estate caretaking services.
The agreement ensures that these essential resident services will not be disrupted by strike action over the Christmas and New Year period.
Beau Stanford-Francis, Director of Public Realm at Newham Council said: “The council has been committed to ensuring that we reach a settlement that is fair to our workforce and our residents. The council is committed to providing excellent services to support our community and serve our borough.
“Throughout the discussions we have recognised the excellent work that our frontline staff undertake for our community, and also recognise and understand the cost of living pressures that colleagues, especially the lower paid members of the workforce are faced with.
“I would like to thank all colleagues involved for working in a constructive and collaborative manner to end the dispute. We understand that at times the action has caused disruption for residents and we apologise for any inconvenience that industrial action has caused.
“Staff in the waste, street cleansing and estates caretaking service have worked extremely hard and with a consistently professional manner over this difficult period and my thanks go to them.”
The positive outcome will see staff receive a package that equates to between a 7 and 10% increase, with additional enhancements for out of hours working. The deal is part of a wider agreement for all council staff negotiated as part of the national pay award process. The local agreement agreed between the Chief Executive and all unions, also sees improved terms for maternity payments.
As part of our commitment to building a fairer Newham, the council is focused on supporting our residents and workforce during this cost of living crisis, whilst ensuring that the agreement in affordable for the council within our current financial means.