Industrial action affecting Rugby Borough Council’s waste and street cleaning services is set to end today as the council and Unite reach an agreement.

The new pay agreement will see the total pay available to drivers of refuse collection vehicles increase to up to £30,940. Changes to overtime payments and tasks allocated to refuse loaders will also mean that the total pay available to them will rise to £24,018.

There will also be an uplift in pay grade and additional payments for street cleaners and drivers. The total pay available will rise to up to £24,587.

Cllr Seb Lowe, leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: ‘We welcome Unite’s agreement to the terms and conditions proposals which the Council has put forward. Nevertheless, we remain disappointed that Unite chose to recommend industrial action in a dispute relating to the nationally agreed pay increase that came into effect from April last year.

‘The resolution that has been agreed reflects a process we began in December 2021 and had agreed with Unite should be completed by the end of May. This process considered a review of market pressures on affected roles, the accuracy of job descriptions and how those job descriptions are graded.

‘Additionally, we are pleased to have agreed an increase in working hours for refuse and recycling staff and a clear definition of ‘task and finish’, meaning that we can all look forward to a cleaner Borough moving forward.

‘The work of the refuse, recycling and street cleansing teams is very much valued by the council and residents of the Borough and we look forward to welcoming them back to work. We would also like to sincerely thank all of the refuse, recycling and street cleansing staff who chose to work through the period of strike action and also the council staff who were redeployed to support the continuation of refuse collections.’

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Workers in Rugby were not prepared to accept poverty pay. With the support of Unite they took matters into their own hands. The result is a significant improvement to their pay and conditions. Our union is prepared to fight for workers during the cost of living crisis. It’s more proof that Unite is dedicated to advancing the jobs, pay and conditions of its members.’

This article was originally published by LAPV.