Selby bin strikes called off

Unite say workers have accepted an "improved pay offer"

Author: Kathy GreenPublished 29th Aug 2023

Selby bin strikes by refuse workers employed by Urbaser on behalf of the North Yorkshire unitary authority have ended after an improved pay deal was secured.

In a statement the Unite Union say: 'The workers voted to accept the deal, which will see pay increase by 8% backdated to April for all workers. Drivers will also see their bonus for this year consolidated into basic pay, meaning their wages will increase by 15.1 per cent.

In addition, a single payment of ÂŁ57.45 will be applied when collection crews are reduced from three workers to two. These payments will be backdated for every instance of reduced crew working since April.'

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Urbaser’s Selby workforce were determined to win a fair pay deal and they should be applauded for standing firm in their union and achieving this excellent result. Once again, Unite’s unrelenting focus on improving jobs, pay and conditions is winning for workers.”

Unite regional coordinating officer Richard Bedford said: “Our members would like to thank the Labour councillors on Conservative controlled North Yorkshire council for applying pressure on the company, as well as the public for their support. This win shows that those who want to improve their wages and working lives should join Unite and get their colleagues to do the same.”

Workers starting staging a series of one-day strikes in June and July before escalating to carry out four day strikes in their row over pay.

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