Council HGV drivers end strike after new pay deal includes "skills payment"

HGV drivers working for a Sussex council will receive a “skills payment” boost as part of measures introduced to avoid further strikes.

GMB members at Adur & Worthing Councils voted to end industrial action that began on 14 March after negotiations led to new pay grades established for some workers, improved weekend and bank holiday pay for cleansing crews and an increased specialist skills payment for lorry drivers.

Under the terms of the deal, cleansing drivers will move to the top of grade 4, or £24,920. In addition, the already implemented skills payment for HGV drivers will be increased from £2,700 to £3,500.

The council said it initiated a review in the whole service in October 2021 and this led to HGV drivers being given pay rises of more than 12.7%.

A spokesman for Adur & Worthing Councils said: “We are pleased that all parties have found a way to end this strike and thank residents and businesses for their patience during this difficult time.

“At all times we have sought to find a way to recognise the excellent work staff at this service undertake while being mindful that our budgets are tight and that we also have to protect other services. We think we can do that with this deal which gives extra remuneration for staff.

“What we and our staff want to do now is continue the catch-up to remove the backlog from our streets as soon as possible,” the spokesman added.

“We will be reaching out shortly to our commercial customers who have had to seek alternative arrangements during the strike and we will be working on re-establishing green waste collections as soon as practicable after the backlog of residual and recyclable waste has been tackled.”