UNITE MEMBERS CELEBRATE REGRADE VICTORY IN SANDWELL
"When workers stick together, they win together."
~ Emma Randle UNITE Regional Officer
Strike action by local authority electricians in Sandwell, West Midlands, has been called off following an increase in their pay grade, UNITE, the UK and Ireland’s largest union, said today (Monday 2 March)
Following a re-evaluation, Sandwell council changed the electricians’ pay grade to accurately reflect ‘Green Book’ rates, resulting in a pay increase of up to £1,000 a year that will be backdated to April 2018.
The Green Book, which is set by the National Joint Council, sets pay rates for local government staff across the country.
UNITE and its sister unions represent more than 25 electricians who carry out repairs in council housing around Sandwell, said the decision to upgrade the electricians’ pay has now brought the nearly two-year-old dispute to an end.
UNITE Regional Officer Emma Randle said: “This is a welcome decision by Sandwell council and means our members are now being paid the nationally recognised rate for the job. This was a complicated and long running dispute, but the pay upgrade and backdated wages show that when workers stick together, they win together."
“This issue is now settled and UNITE looks forward to working constructively with Sandwell council in the future.”