Norse put forward shameful pay offer to waste and recycling workers based on figures pulled out of a hat
Norse Environmental Waste Services (NEWS) workers in Norfolk have been offered a three-year pay deal based on the employer’s hypothetical numbers for the rates of the National Living Wage for the next three years.
Norse, a Direct Service Organisation (DSO) owned by Norfolk County Council provides waste and environmental management services in Norfolk and has partnerships with other local authorities across England and Wales.
GMB, the union for waste and recycling workers has been negotiating with Norse since April. In the latest round of talks, a pay offer was put on the table that is nothing short of insulting and demoralising for GMB members at Norse who are being balloted on whether to accept the offer.
A GMB member working for Norse said:
“As employees, we have been asked repeatedly over the years to change and adapt to new working environments, which we have embraced wholeheartedly to make the company more efficient and more profitable. We embraced Covid rules and restrictions. We deal with regular threats of violence and abuse, all of which have a detrimental effect on us physically and mentally, but we got on with the job.
“Respect, support, and honesty all go a long way in my book, but it seems to be falling by the wayside here at NEWS. With the increased mismanagement of the contract by the Norse hierarchy, the employees are set to suffer and cause the loss of excellent staff unable to withstand the financial insecurity this offer will create.
“I believe we should reject this offer and call on Norse management to put a more realistic offer on the table, not an offer that involves a 3-year deal with numbers pulled out of a hat, not an offer that will force staff out of the job they love because they cannot pay bills and not an offer that disrespects its workforce and the work we do.”
Ashley Foster, GMB London Region Organiser said:
“Recycling Advisors who work at the county’s recycling sites are amongst the lowest-paid workers, many only receiving the National Living Wage of £8.91. Our members at Norse are telling me they are not eating properly, borrowing money to pay their bills and are unable to afford sufficient gas and electricity.”
“The three-year pay offer that Norse has put forward is based on hypothetical numbers, how can any employer predict what the National Minimum or Living Wage is going to be in 2025? Why would our members accept this when the management at Norse who is making these decisions and producing these ridiculous numbers will not be offered anywhere near the same pittance of a deal?”
“GMB members want a pay deal that is in line with the Real Living Wage. A pay rise that will make a real difference, that is why GMB is recommending that members reject Norse’s shameful pay offer. If the ballot concludes with a rejection, industrial action will be a strong possibility.”
For more information please contact: Ashley Foster, GMB London Region Organiser 079 7425 0946
GMB London Region Press Office 079 7001 9643 / London.press@gmb.org.uk
