Unite, the UK’s leading union, has strongly welcomed the decision by Great Yarmouth council to bring its housing maintenance work in-house.

The 70 plus workers, including 50 Unite members, are currently employed by Norse Group, which is jointly owned by Norfolk County Council.

Under Great Yarmouth’s plans, the workers will be transferred to a company 100 per cent owned by the council. The transfer is expected to occur before September 2024.

Unite has been strongly lobbying the council to bring the service in-house, which it believes is in the best interests of local residents and workers. The union will now be working with the council to ensure that wage rates and terms and conditions are improved prior to the transfer.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite believes that it is always in the best interests of councils, residents and workers for local government services to be insourced. The primary motive for all local government services should be delivering the best possible service while treating workers decently.”

Unite regional officer Adam Oakes said: “Unite welcomes the decision by Great Yarmouth council to bring the housing maintenance service in-house. This follows extensive lobbying from the union.

“Unite will now be seeking further negotiations with the council to ensure that workers will be transferred on improved pay rates and terms and conditions, when the new company is established.”

ENDS

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.