Bin workers vote to strike in North Norfolk and Breckland

Members of the union Unison in Breckland and North Norfolk have said they are ready to walk off the job in the dispute over pay which has been rumbling on since last year.

In an official ballot, 99pc of members backed strikes on an 84pc turnout. 

Cameron Matthews, Unison’s eastern regional organiser - Picture: Supplied (Image: Supplied)

They also returned a 97pc vote for action short of a strike on the Serco contract at the two district councils. 

But strike action could still be averted as Serco - which manages waste in the two districts as well as the borough of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk - has made a new offer. 

Cameron Matthews, Unison’s eastern regional organiser, said: “Serco workers in Breckland and North Norfolk have endured year after year in which the value of their wages has gone down.

“But despite the soaring cost of living, the firm has refused to raise their pay enough to live on. 

“Unfortunately, these workers have been left with no choice but to vote for strikes. 

“They don’t want to cause disruption to Norfolk residents but they’ve run out of options.”  

Refuse workers in Breckland and North Norfolk have voted to strike. (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Matthews said workers were still struggling to make ends meet despite Serco making a fresh offer last Friday.

Unison members will vote on the new offer before setting strike dates.

He said: “If they decide it’s not enough for them to get by, we will have to start planning industrial action.” 

Peter Aylward, Serco's regional director said “It is always our intention to work collaboratively with our trade union partners and in line with our recognition agreements but the request we have received is several times the rate of inflation and simply unachievable.

"We would urge our employees to reconsider and accept our revised offer, which is above inflation on basic pay and will be backdated to April 22."