Christmas miracle needed to prevent strikes as Peterborough Council fails to offer better pay for outsourced workers

Without a better deal, strike action looks likely in the New Year, warns GMB Union.

GMB Union has held further pay talks in desperate attempts to find hope at Christmas for outsourced Peterborough Limited workers.

These staff work in services including waste management, street cleaning, libraries, museums, and leisure centres. 

Whilst the talks have been productive, the employer has declined to put a new offer on the table.

Members are now faced with the prospect of taking strike action in the New Year to demand fair compensation for their vital work.

Confusion remains around Peterborough Limited’s status as a separate entity from the Council.

While Peterborough Limited remains separate for pay, it is considered in-house when it comes to cuts, with the Council announcing savings to their budget from within the company.

A GMB Member said:

“I’d hoped to that we’d have an offer on the table before Christmas, but it’s looking really bleak for the New Year.

“This used to be a decent job – hard, but the pay was pretty good. Now we’re basically on minimum wage.

“I could get more stacking shelves in the dry - and no one will try to run me over!”

Gordon White, GMB Regional Organiser, added:

“We are negotiating hard for our members to have a wonderful life, but it’s looking more like the nightmare before Christmas.

“Peterborough City Council is the Grinch that stole our members pay.

“If they don’t deliver a better deal, we will have no choice but to pursue strike action in the New Year.”