The council and trade union Unite reached a deal at the end of September.
By Aidan White
A threat of strike action affecting household and general waste collection across the Borough was lifted at the end of September after a peace deal between the council and the trade union Unite.
The union had planned four weeks of industrial action by its members in Newham’s Waste and Recycling service from 25 September in a long-running dispute over wages and conditions.
But the plan was called off after a ballot of union members accepted a local agreement that emerged after negotiations over recent weeks.
Abi Gbago, the recently-appointed Chief Executive of Newham Council, commented: “After intense negotiations, I am pleased to confirm that we have avoided industrial action. I would like to thank Unite and all colleagues involved for working constructively and collaboratively to resolve this dispute.”
The Union remains in talks over continuing disagreement about a national pay agreement, but Abi Gbago said that both sides were able to resolve a series of issues that helped put an end to the local dispute.
“We listened and were able to meet the majority of the requests made,” she said. “We will be completing a full review of employee terms and conditions later this year to ensure that we benchmark well and can attract and retain valued employees.”
The agreement between the Council and Unite will mean a range of improved employment terms including the conditions of the council heavy goods vehicle drivers, a review of night-shift payments, fulltime job offers to agency staff and fresh discussions over Newham being regarded as an inner London borough so workers become eligible for London weighting allowances.
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