Housing workers’ walkout forces improved pay deal

Unite the Union, photo Paul Mattsson, photo Paul Mattsson

Unite the Union, photo Paul Mattsson, photo Paul Mattsson   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Unite the Union members at Homes England and the Regulator of Social Housing have voted overwhelmingly to accept a revised set of options on pay following industrial action in July and a sustained campaign over the last few months.

The favoured options take a tiered approach and would significantly improve the amount awarded to those earning under £35,000, meaning the bulk of the rise will go to the lowest paid staff.

An overwhelming majority of 97% of members accepted the deal on a turnout of 78%.

The campaign also won a framework of protections for a new pay review. The agreed protections will ensure that jobs will be independently evaluated, no cuts will be made to staff salaries, and there is a time limit for giving pay rises to staff paid less than the agreed rate for the job.

One of the Unite representatives, Suzanne Muna, said: “The action we have taken and the involvement of our members at all stages has created a sustained pressure on our employer to favour the lowest-paid staff, which they have now done.

“These staff have suffered disproportionately from a decade of real-terms pay cuts. The campaign underlines the positive impact of collective action in all its forms and shows that we are never helpless.

“It doesn’t end here though – our members will continue to fight for pay justice and I encourage all staff to join Unite and build even more power in our workplace!”

The proposal is now with the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government for approval.