Commenting on the announcement that, after negotiations with UNISON, Adur and Worthing HGV drivers will receive a permanent £2,700 increase to their pay, UNISON South East regional organiser Sarah McGreal said:
“This increase comes after months of intense negotiations between UNISON and the councils.
“Waste and recycling employees have done an incredible job keeping services running throughout the pandemic and this is the least these essential workers deserve.
“Many people will be feeling anxious about their finances in the coming months as living costs are spiralling out of control. The rise secured by UNISON should offer them some relief in these challenging times.
“UNISON is legally recognised to bargain for all staff at Adur and Worthing and this shows what can be achieved by negotiation. UNISON is continuing talks with the councils to improve working conditions in waste services and speaking up for the issues staff care most about.
“This latest agreement is just one more reason why it makes sense to belong to UNISON.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the recognised union representing all staff at Adur and Worthing councils.
– The deal will mean that a market supplement for HGV Drivers will increase to £2,700, with effect from 1 March 2022, on a permanent basis.
– Last autumn, UNISON negotiated a one-year market supplement of £2,000 for council HGV drivers. This has been replaced by the new £2,700 permanent payment.
– This latest victory comes after UNISON secured previous pay increases for many roles, including kerbside loaders, cleansing driver operatives and workshop skilled mechanics in February 2022.
– This series of improvements and pay rises have been achieved as part of an ongoing review of waste and recycling services, which began after UNISON raised concerns over wages, hours and other working conditions in October 2021. The review is ongoing.
– UNISON is also in discussions with the councils over improving pay and conditions for all staff.
– Adur and Worthing councils are part of the national (NJC) agreement to set pay for local government staff. The NJC 2021/22 award of 1.75% for most staff will be implemented this month, with workers receiving payments backdated to April 2021.
– 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.
