Amey highway maintenance staff have called off further strike action after agreeing an improved pay deal.
Amey workers at four depots in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Buckinghamshire held a series of 24-hour strikes last month and were set to stage a week-long strike this week. However, that action was yesterday called off after just one day when a new pay deal was agreed.
The initial offer of 1.75% has now been improved to a 2.25% increase in pay, backdated to 1st April 2014 and a further 1.75% increase in pay from 1st April 2015.
Unite regional officer Richard Gates, representing the workforce, said: “The solidarity and determination of Unite members throughout this lengthy dispute meant we were successful in negotiating a two-year pay settlement that is acceptable to the majority of our members.
“Thanks to the strong position we took and the arguments the union put forward Amey realised that workers have been hit hard in recent years over pay.
“We were not prepared to accept a settlement that in effect meant no real-terms increase, while company directors saw their salaries ramped up by 65% in the last four years.
“Make no mistake this is a victory and members are delighted.”
The four depots involved were Breakspear at Hemel Hempstead, Whittlesford in Cambridgeshire, Sandy depot in Bedfordshire and Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire.
The crews are working on the Highways Agency Area 8 asset support contract, having transferred from the previous managing agent contractor Carillion in April 2014. The workforce moved across to Amey under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations, or TUPE.
