Norwich City Services strikes off

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

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.

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.

Unite regional officer Adam Oakes added, “This is an important pay deal and agreements on 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.”

By Barckley Sumner