Proposed industrial action by operatives from Newham Council’s repairs and maintenance service (RMS) who are members of the Unite trade union has been suspended.
Following constructive discussion at the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), Unite has agreed to suspend industrial action after Newham Council agreed to withdraw its proposed replacement pay structure. Unite and the council will work now work with ACAS to replace the pay structure for RMS operatives.
The proposal was the subject of consultation with local shop stewards and was being worked through collaboratively.
Chief executive of Newham Council Althea Loderick said: “Both sides have been involved in constructive talks at ACAS. We value our staff and the unions who represent them. We have listened to the concerns raised and have agreed to withdraw the current proposal. We will continue to work and consult together with them on any future proposed pay structure changes.”
Unite Regional Officer Onay Kasab stated: “We are very happy to confirm that we have agreed to suspend the strike action that was due to begin on 2 August. We believe that the employer is now fully aware of our concerns following the session at ACAS. The approach that has been agreed, whereby any current proposal is scrapped was welcomed by a mass meeting of our members this morning (1 August 2019)”