NFDC staff call off strike after pay deal

FRONTLINE staff at New Forest District Council including refuse workers will not take industrial action after a deal was struck following a row over pay.

As reported in the A&T, earlier this year members of the union Unite, who are employed by local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, had overwhelmingly rejected local government employers’ pay offer for 2024/5.

Its members, including those at the district council, had begun balloting on whether to take full industrial action.

Refuse collectors are among frontline staff at New Forest District Council who were considering industrial action in a row over pay.

However, a report to NFDC’s cabinet confirmed an agreement had now been reached.

It states: "During October the National Joint Council for Local Government Services (NJC) has come to an agreement on the 2024/25 pay award relevant to the rest of the NFDC workforce, applicable from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025. This increase in pay costs is covered within the council’s 2024/25 budget."

The district council confirmed to the A&T that 752 members of staff will receive an additional £1,290 per annum, while a further 71 employees, including the chief executive, will have an annual increase of 2.5%.