East Suffolk bin workers vote to go on strike
It's in a dispute over pay and conditions
Last updated 2nd Nov 2022
Bin workers in East Suffolk have voted to go on strike in a dispute over pay and conditions.
More than 96% of East Suffolk Norse staff voted for action, with 88% of eligible voters casting a ballot.
Staff want a better pay deal with raises wages in line with inflation. They also want changes to contractual sick pay.
The company is currently offering a £1,925 pay rise as well as an additional 75p and hour - something workers claim would still leave them struggling to make ends meet
UNISON Eastern regional organiser Cameron Matthews said: “Refuse workers are desperate to avoid any disruption to the communities they serve, but they can’t survive on East Suffolk Norse wages much longer.
“Years of lousy pay deals have left these key workers struggling to pay their bills, especially with the cost of living skyrocketing this year.
"The employer’s offer may seem sizeable but pay has been stagnant for so long that it falls short of a decent wage.
“We’re not asking for the world, just enough to live on. We urge East Suffolk Council and Norse to come back with a meaningful improvement that rewards the vital jobs these workers do.”
No dates have yet been confirmed for the strike action and talks continue to try to avoid industrial action.