Colchester Council workers voting on strikes, says Unison

Colchester Council staff are voting on strikes as part of an ongoing row over pay.

Staff, including those working for Colchester Borough Homes, had asked for an above-inflation pay rise to make up for years of wages failing to keep up with the rising cost of living.

But the council has offered a rise of £1,000 for most employees, which is increased for its lowest paid staff, and a one-off lump sum.

Unison, which represents Colchester Council employees, has launched a strike ballot after months of talks with the local authority.

'Colchester pays less than other councils'

The union says any strikes could hit refuse collections, including garden waste which will be charged for from January, leisure facilities like Leisure World, the crematorium, parking enforcement, and housing services.

Council-run - Leisure World in Cowdray Avenue

Unison Eastern regional organiser Sam Older said council workers are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet despite working hard to provide vital services for the city.

“Colchester is already paying its workers less than neighbouring councils,” he said.

“Unless bosses rethink their penny-pinching, staff will just decide to go up the A12 to somewhere they can get better pay for doing exactly the same job.

“Staff see straight through bosses’ pleas of poverty — councils elsewhere are willing to increase pay by nearly double what workers in Colchester are being offered.

“Council bosses don’t need to create chaos for staff and residents, they just need to come back to the negotiating table with an offer that helps its workers keep their heads above water.”

Colchester Council workers were poised to walk out this January after the council refused to implement the 2022/23 national local government pay deal in full, but action was called off after council bosses agreed to match the rise.

Its chief executive Pam Donnelly said the council will do everything it can “to ensure minimal impact to services” if her colleagues walk out.

Council boss - Colchester Council chief executive Pam Donnelly (Image: Newsquest)

According to a council report, her starting salary when she started her new role last year was £125,633.

The union’s ballot closes on November 16.

What does Colchester Council say?

COLCHESTER Council has expressed disappointment at Unison’s decision to reject the latest pay offer.

Ms Donnelly said the council’s budget is facing “unprecedented pressure” owing to the cost-of-living crisis coupled with rising energy costs and the wake of the coronavirus pandemic – a position which hasn’t changed since the council made its pay offer in July.

“This is already an offer which is making our already stretched budget even more challenging,” she said.

“It will have an impact on the services we can provide, and our staff numbers may have to reduce.

“As the council has a fixed amount of money to spend on services each year and can’t increase the amount it generates from council tax, any increase in cost to fund pay means we will have less money to spend on essential services for our residents.

“We have done everything we possibly can to get to this stage and this offer. We have been engaging with and listening to the concerns of Unison for the last few months, and whilst we wish we had more flexibility, we do not.”

She added that the council “values every member of staff and the great work that they do for Colchester”.