A planned strike by refuse workers in east Suffolk has been suspended after an improved pay offer was made following talks facilitated by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).
Staff employed by East Suffolk Council’s waste management contractor Norse were preparing to walkout for a week from November 21, bringing potential disruption to waste collections for thousands of residents across the district.
The workers had voted 96% in favour of the action in a ballot conducted by their union UNISON in October.
However, a spokesperson for the council said the industrial action had been suspended and the employees would be balloted on the proposals that had been put forward.
Workers will vote early next week with the result of the ballet counted by 5pm next Wednesday.
He said: “After a further round of negotiations, facilitated by ACAS, we are very pleased that industrial action has been suspended and that staff will now be balloted on the proposals presented to them.
“From our perspective, we were always determined to agree a solution that works for all parties, and in difficult financial circumstances, we are hopeful that this offer will be accepted.”
However, he warned services may still be disrupted and residents should still put their bins out as usual.
East Suffolk councillor David Beavan had called for workers to be paid £12 an hour and questioned why this was not possible when the council had just appointed an extra strategic director, Kate Blakemore, on a high salary.
The Liberal Democrat said: “Morally, we should not want to see any East Suffolk employee in a foodbank queue. People cannot afford to live on the so-called living wage of £9.50 an hour.
“Bin loaders do get a few strains and injuries and statutory sick pay of £100 a week is inadequate.
“This would cost about another £25,000 a year. So a total cost of £75,000 to end the strike, which is about half the cost of the extra strategic director that East Suffolk are now looking to appoint.
“The council should get round the table and settle this dispute now with fair pay.”
Previously, Norse had offered the workers a £1,925 pay rise, as well as an additional 75p an hour, but Cameron Matthews, UNISON’s eastern regional organiser, said any increase in wages should ‘deal with the cost of living’.
He said Norse workers in similar positions in Hampshire were already earning the amount that the East Suffolk employees were seeking.
“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," Mr Matthews said.
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