UNITE members who provided essential services during the height of the pandemic have voted to suspend their six week strike after ongoing talks with Thurrock Council delivered a breakthrough.
Around 90 workers in the waste and recycling department at Thurrock Council have been on strike since the 13 April 2021.
The workers faced losing between £1200 and £3800 a year but the Council has now made positive changes to the original proposal which means members will not have a reduction to their pay.
The workers will return to work on Monday 24 May.
Unite regional officer Michelle Cook said: “This deal is a victory for the workers who stood firm for six weeks in a strike to defend their pay. The workers and the residents of Thurrock will be pleased that the council have amended its plans, and services can get back to normal.
“These essential workers, who were applauded for their work through the pandemic, now deserve to be applauded for the solidarity and determination they showed. When workers organise, workers win.”
Councillor John Kent, Leader of Thurrock Council Labour Group, has welcomed news that Thurrock refuse collection strike is over, and staff will be returning to work on Monday said:
“I’m delighted this damaging dispute is over, but it didn’t have to be like this.
“The Tories provoked this strike to cut key workers’ pay, but with their unions support they stood firm and forced the Council to back down.
“Thurrock Council picked a fight it was never going to win. Its already poor reputation has been further damaged, and more important the Council’s relationship with its workforce is at an all-time low.
“The Council has some very serious questions to answer”.
