Three Hundred refuse workers in Brighton have won a significant victory by striking against the council’s attempt to slash their wages using “single status”.
Tory-controlled Brighton & Hove council said it intended to cut wages by up to £8,000 a year—from £19,000 to £11,000.
But after two days of action the council backed down—with a promise that 97 percent of the workforce won’t have their pay cut.
The deal means that hundreds of workers won’t face cuts, some will have an increase and others will be offered training to move up a grade.
One GMB union rep told Socialist Worker, “The council had been talking tough but when it saw that the strike was real it backed down.
“Initially it wanted to heavily change our terms and conditions but it retreated when we let it know we wouldn’t call off the strikes.
“We have suspended the action for three weeks to ensure that the details are OK and see what we can do for the ten people still losing money.”
Refugees slam plans to tear up asylum system
But where there is repression, there is resistance.
Strikers are demanding an unallocated €1.6 billion go towards workers' pay rise
London march on 27 October
