Adur & Worthing Refuse Strike Called Off As Union Secures Pay Rise

Staff working in waste, recycling and cleansing services at Adur and Worthing councils are now due a pay rise next month, due to an agreement secured by their union, UNISON.

The union has been in talks with the local authorities since last autumn, finally reaching an agreement late last week, which will see a wage increase  for most staff providing waste services. 

It affects staff collecting rubbish and recycling from domestic and business premises, mechanics looking after the refuse vehicles, and street cleaners. 
 
Following negotiations UNISON says the deal will see the employees placed on higher salary scales from next month, which means they'll start taking home more money from next Wednesday (2 March) as well as seeing faster future increases.
 
'In addition, a £2,000 market supplement, negotiated by UNISON for HGV drivers operating the refuse collection vehicles, will now continue until at least next October. It had previously been due to end this year. UNISON is also pushing for this to be increased to £2,500'.
 
'The changes come as part of an ongoing review of waste and recycling services, which began after UNISON raised concerns with the employers over wages, hours and other working conditions'.
 
'Talks between UNISON and the councils are continuing over the remaining issues, which include a review of collection rounds, working hours, driver training, and increases in salary scales for other roles, says the union'.
 
UNISON South East regional organiser Sarah McGreal said:

“This shows what can be achieved through hard work and negotiation. It’s thanks to UNISON pressure that these workers will now see a well-earned increase in their take-home pay.
 
“This agreement is most welcome, but it's just the first step. There’s still more Adur and Worthing can do to show they value their workforce.  
 
“Waste and recycling employees have done incredible work keeping services running throughout the pandemic. UNISON won’t stop until all staff get the increases they deserve. 
 
“UNISON is legally recognised to bargain for all staff at Adur and Worthing. This agreement proves it makes sense to belong to UNISON.”
 

Commenting on the negotiations, a spokesperson for Adur and Worthing Councils said that 'base pay was already comparable to that of other local authorities' however, 'the review recommends that every one of the jobs looked at should be moved up a grade on the Councils’ pay band scale or paid a market supplement of £2,000 a year for at least two years.'

They said the changes 'reflect additional responsibilities, the need for more flexible working, and in the case of market supplements the recruitment challenges for specialist roles'.

These increases are separate to a cost-of-living salary increase which is currently being negotiated nationally for council staff.

Of the 109 posts in the Councils’ refuse, recycling and cleansing department that have been reviewed, 65 will be moved up a grade and a further 40 will get an annual market supplement of £2,000 until at least October 2023 - the equivalent of a pay rise of at least 8.1%. Four more will get both an annual market supplement of £2,000 until at least October 2023 and be moved up a grade.

The spokesperson added:

“We’re grateful to our staff and to UNISON, the recognised union, for helping us to carry out this review, which will lead to substantial pay rises for our frontline teams over the next year.

“We hope they and the unions will continue to share their ideas for how we can make the service better both for them and residents.”

Adur & Worthing Councils’ say their review is continuing, including work to rebalance refuse and recycling rounds to deal with the demands of new housing. Staff are being offered the opportunity to gain an HGV driving qualification while there will also continue to be discussions about ways to improve the working environment.