Workers employed by Continental Landscapes, on Welwyn and Hatfield council’s ground maintenance contract, have secured a pay increase of at least 13 per cent, following a lengthy industrial dispute.

Long running dispute

The 13 members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, began strike action in November in order to secure a pay increase, the introduction of pay differentials based on skills and knowledge and the assurance that temporary agency staff would not receive higher rates of pay.

Under the agreement, pay will increase on 1 April from £10.12 an hour to at least £11.44 an hour (a 13.1 per cent increase), there will be two further skills based pay bands at £11.60 an hour (a 14.6 per cent increase) and £11.75 an hour (a 16.1 per cent) increase.

Excellent result

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is an excellent result for a group of workers who stood together in unity and in doing so secured a fair pay increase.

“This result demonstrates how Unite’s commitment to fight for the jobs, pay and conditions of its members, no matter how large or small the workplace, is securing direct financial dividends.”

As part of the deal to end the dispute, Unite secured a commitment that in future agency workers will not be paid a higher rate of pay than permanent staff.

Going forward

Unite regional officer Richard Gates said: “Unite will now be looking to engage constructively with Continental Landscapes going forward to ensure that the agreements that have been reached are fully implemented in the best interests of the workers and the company.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Welwyn and Hatfield grounds maintenance workers continue with strike action over poverty pay

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.

Email: barckley.sumner@unitetheunion.org

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.