Thurrock Council reverses caretaker downgrading plans after strike threat

Thurrock Council has scrapped plans to downgrade caretaker roles after staff voted to take industrial action.

Caretakers, who clean and maintain properties across the council’s housing estate, faced a downgrading of their roles which could have seen their salaries slashed by £2000 a year on average.

The workers, who are members of the GMB Union, voted 96 per cent in favour of strike action over the plans and would have started their walk out on 29 September.

 GMB has now called off the strike.

Martin Hall, GMB Regional Organiser, said:

"Following our members' overwhelming vote for strike action, Thurrock Council has backed down on their proposals to downgrade caretaking staff. 

"We are pleased that Thurrock has listened to our members, who have achieved a fantastic win for themselves and their colleagues.

"As this result goes to show there is power in a union and its members when they stand together. 

“We look forward to working constructively with Thurrock in the future to support our members.”