Joint statement on end to threat of industrial action

Newham Council and the Unite trade union are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached.

The agreement ends the threat of industrial action over concerns at how a job evaluation process was carried out for employees in the council's accounts payable team.

​In a joint statement, Katherine Kerswell, the council’s Interim Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service; Onay Kasab, Unite Regional Officer; Brenda Bedminster, Unite Branch Chair; and Donford Vardon, Unite Branch Secretary, said: “Newham Council and Unite have worked together to resolve the issues raised by the union and have agreed a solution that is acceptable to both sides. 

“The new administration of the council under Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz was keen to move quickly to ensure the concerns of the union and its members were listened to and acted upon.
 
“We hope this agreement is the start of a more effective and closer working relationship between the senior leadership of the council, including human resources, and Unite and the other recognised trade unions.
 
“This is a council that values its staff and the unions they are members of. We look forward to enjoying a new way of working where concerns of all employees are dealt with in an open and transparent way. Like our residents, our staff must be at the heart of everything we do.”

Published: 25 Oct 2018