Outsourced Peterborough Council workers reject 'turkey' of a pay award, sparking strike fears
Outsourced Peterborough Council workers have rejected a 'turkey' of a pay award - sparking fears of industrial action
Staff at Peterborough Limited – a company wholly owned by Peterborough City Council – are now considering industrial action.
Scores of members took part in a consultative ballot for industrial action, which saw 78 per cent of members vote in favour with a turnout of 83 per cent.
Peterborough Limited workers provide essential council services, including waste management, street cleaning, libraries, museums, and leisure centres.
However, many are struggling on low pay.
The offer from Peterborough Limited represented just a 2.25 per cent pay rise above the increase required to maintain the legal minimum pay for lowest-paid workers: the National Living Wage.
Workers employed directly by the Council have received a more generous pay award. This highlights a worrying discrepancy in how staff are compensated, depending on whether they are paid by the Council or its trading company.
GMB remains prepared to discuss an improved offer with Peterborough Limited and put it to our members.
Gordon White, GMB Regional Organiser, said:
“The insulting pay offer from Peterborough Limited is a real turkey - worthy of Ebenezer Scrooge.
"GMB members have rightly rejected it.
“This time of year is particularly busy and many of these workers will be delivering vital services over Christmas.
"They deserved to go into the festive period with a decent pay rise, but were instead offered pennies more than the bare minimum
“If we do not receive a meaningful and serious offer, we will have no choice but to press on with member-led action.”
