Strike action at Norwich City Services Ltd (NCSL) has been averted after workers agreed an improved pay and conditions package.

Strikes prepared

The workers, who are members of Unite and Unison, had voted to take strike action in a consultative ballot, but following that vote fresh negotiations were held and an agreement was reached on an improved offer.

The workers at NCSL, which is which wholly owned by Norwich City Council, will receive a 5.5 per cent increase in pay. In addition they will receive increased employer pension contributions, extra sick pay and additional annual leave. NCSL has also committed to the fast tracking of a job evaluation process and a review of working hours by March 2023.

Vastly improved deal

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “By standing together workers at NCSL have secured a vastly improved pay increase and a major boost in their conditions. The NCSL workforce are directly benefiting from Unite’s commitment to prioritise the jobs, pay and conditions of its members.”

The workers who will benefit from the pay deal include: grave diggers, housing maintenance staff, street cleaners and park keepers.

Improvements seen

Unite regional officer Adam Oakes said: “This is an important pay deal and builds on agreements in previous deals which have steadily seen improvement in the workers’ pay and conditions, especially with regard to sick pay. Unions remain committed to continue to campaign for NCSL workers to be on the same terms and conditions as Norwich’s directly employed workforce.”

Membership push

Unison branch secretary Joanthan Dunning said: “Both unions will be encouraging any remaining non-union workers within NCSL to join a trade union. There is more money in workers pockets today because of the determination of trade union members. By joining a union workers strengthen their collective voice in the workplace allowing them to bargain for better outcomes.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Strike vote looms as Norwich council staff deliver emphatic ‘no’ to ‘woefully inadequate’ pay offer, says Unite

 For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.

Email: [email protected]

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.