Staff working in waste, recycling and cleansing services at Adur and Worthing councils are now due a pay rise next month, thanks to an agreement secured by their union, UNISON.
UNISON has been in pay discussions with senior officers at the local authorities since the autumn.
Now following detailed talks, UNISON – the only union recognised by the two councils to discuss pay issues – has secured an agreement that will see wage increases 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.
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, says UNISON.
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.”
Notes to editors:
- UNISON is the recognised union representing all staff at Adur and Worthing councils.
- The indicative agreement means that kerbside loaders, cleansing driver operatives and workshop skilled mechanics will be regraded to a higher salary scale from 2 March 2022 and progress faster through pay grades.
- Last autumn, UNISON negotiated a one-year market supplement of £2,000 for council HGV drivers. It has now been agreed that this will continue until at least October 2023.
- Adur and Worthing councils are part of the national (NJC) agreement to set pay for local government staff. The NJC 2021/22 award is expected to be finalised soon.
- Negotiations over the 2022/23 NJC pay rates will begin imminently.
- UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
