Further to a meeting yesterday (Monday 17 July) between Allerdale Waste Services, Cumberland Council officers and UNITE and GMB Trade Unions, the current industrial action remains unresolved despite best efforts to reach an agreement.
The strikes are in the context of Unions demanding parity between AWS pay and the pay of former Copeland Waste Services staff who are now part of Cumberland Council.
AWS employees were awarded a 10.1% pay rise on 1 April this year which is based on the Foundation Living Wage (a higher rate than the National Living Wage). This increase alone saw salaries being comparable or higher than other waste services in the Cumberland area.
Throughout the discussions, AWS have been prepared to agree to:
- Pay double time for Bank Holidays and provide days in lieu of Bank Holidays worked.
- Provide four additional days annual leave.
- Reduce drivers' weekly hours from 44 to 39.5 per week, with an accompanying increase in their hourly rate to prevent financial loss.
- Reduce Loaders' weekly hours from 39 to 37 per week, with an increase in their hourly rate to ensure no adverse financial impact.
- Introduce overtime pay at time and a half, rather than plain time.
- Phase out the current 'task and finish' approach.
- Implement Dignity at Work training for all AWS employees, encouraging a supportive and respectful work environment.
- A one-off payment of £400 (tax free).
In addition to the list above which the Unions have refused, representatives have also demanded an additional 8% pay for drivers and 4% for loaders. AWS are unable to accept this as it is not affordable and as with their original ask would not provide parity. As a result of this, the Unions have stated that they have now revoked their proposals which they put forward on 4 July.
Charles Holmes, Managing Director of Allerdale Waste Services said:
“It is incredibly disappointing that we have reached this point in the negotiations whereby the Trade Unions are still refusing to accept an extremely fair offer which in the main, they themselves put forward. They wanted pay and terms and conditions to be comparable with other local waste services and the offer on the table would give them that.
“As the industrial action has lasted for almost 12 weeks without resolution, we are now left with no alternative but to consider further options. We will now be engaging with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) for mediation to determine the next steps in seeking a resolution.”
Cumberland Council approached ACAS in the lead up to the meeting on 4 July, with a view to them mediating to find a resolution - this request was refused by the Unions.
In the meantime, Council officers will continue to carry out a comprehensive review of waste collection services throughout the entire Cumberland area. This review will encompass all aspects of service provision, including the terms and conditions of all staff. Employees and union representatives will be actively involved in this review process.
Find out more about waste services during the strike action.