23 April 2021
Green councillors raise pressure in support of unions in dispute with Labour councillors
Green Party councillors are supporting Unison and Unite trades unions in pushing for improved pay and conditions after the staff who keep our parks clean, sweep the streets, and empty public bins were told that they would not be getting the same sick leave and holidays as other staff and there is no guarantee for future pay improvements.
Norwich City Council has set up a limited company, Norwich City Services Limited (NCSL), which has taken over the contract for maintaining parks and open spaces, sweeping streets, and emptying public bins from Norwich Norse Environmental (NNE). Staff who previously worked for NNE are now, as of 1 April, employed by NCSL – but are not seeing the improved conditions that they were promised.
Green councillors have been consistently asking the city council’s Labour cabinet if they will commit to clear steps and triggers for improved conditions and a clear commitment to what kind of conditions workers will receive over time. The answers so far have been disappointingly vague with no clear commitments.
Green Party councillors have therefore called-in NCSL’s business plan for further scrutiny so that questions can be asked regarding the council’s plans for key workers on low pay who deserve better.
Green councillors are also pushing for more ambitious environmental standards and improvements in the quality of service.
