Brighton council 'keen' to resolve GMB dispute

GMB union members in Brighton and Hove City Council’s housing maintenance team say they will down tools on August 3, 5 and 7 unless they are granted an eight per cent rise.

The union had previously threatened strike action against Mears, which ran council housing maintenance for the city council until its contract expired in April.

Brighton GMB branch secretary Mark Turner said he hoped the planned walkout would “jolt” the city council into negotiating with staff.

The union claims council plans to “harmonise” pay would lead to wage cuts, which Mr Turner said the union would not accept.

But housing chief Councillor Gill Williams said the council had no intention of imposing any pay cuts.

The city council's housing repair service was transferred in-house in April after Mears' contract expired

“We’ve held many discussions with our repairs staff and trade unions over the past 18 months to make sure the transfer of the service from Mears continues to be a positive one for staff and service users,” she said.

“These talks mean there will be no pay cuts and the terms and conditions staff held while working for Mears will be protected.

“However, if staff would be better off on council terms and conditions, we propose they can move to council terms and conditions if they wish.

“Any increases in pay will be backdated to April 1 this year to provide parity with other council staff.

“There has never been any intention by the council to impose reductions in pay.

“Transferred staff have also been provided with the local government pension scheme and have been paid in full throughout the Covid-19 crisis, while the service has been limited to providing essential repairs.”

Cllr Williams said she was aware of the GMB’s dispute with Mears before the housing repair service was transferred back to the city council.

GMB boss Mr Turner said he hoped the strike announcement would 'jolt' the city council into pay negotiations

“We talked to all staff individually to ensure those transferring were supported into council employment,” she said.

“We are keen to continue discussions to resolve all outstanding issues as soon as possible.”

The strike announcement came months after the GMB balloted its staff on whether to take industrial action against Mears.

After failed negotiations over pay and holiday, Mr Turner announced members would hold a two-week vote.

He said the transfer of repair services back to the city council would be a “positive” for workers and residents.