Caretakers employed by Thurrock Council staged a protest outside the authority’s civic offices on Thursday after plans emerged to downgrade around 50 roles, in a move union representatives say could reduce salaries by an average of £2,000 a year.
The demonstration took place between 12pm and 2pm at the council’s headquarters in Grays, as workers represented by GMB Union voiced opposition to proposals they describe as unfair and disrespectful.
Workers say pay cuts would undermine frontline housing services
Under the proposals, caretaker positions across the council’s housing estate would be downgraded by one pay band. The affected employees are responsible for cleaning and maintaining council-owned residential properties, including removing graffiti, clearing litter, and ensuring health, fire and safety standards are met.
Union officials argue the move would amount to a significant pay cut for workers whose responsibilities remain unchanged despite the proposed reclassification of their roles.
A caretaker and GMB member said:
“After years of loyal service as a caretaker, supporting residents and keeping estates safe, I’m now being told my role is being downgraded and my wages cut.
“It’s not just a financial blow, it’s a message that our work doesn’t matter.
“Caretakers are being rebranded as ‘cleaners’ to justify paying us less, even though the responsibilities haven’t changed.
“It’s unfair, it’s disrespectful, and it shows a total disregard for the people who keep these estates running every day.”
Union criticises council over cost-cutting measures
The dispute comes as Thurrock Council continues to face acute financial pressure following the fallout from failed solar farm investments, which have left the authority with estimated debts of £1.4bn.
GMB said the council’s financial difficulties should not be addressed through cuts to frontline workers’ pay, particularly those delivering essential housing and estate maintenance services.
Gavin Davies, GMB Senior Organiser, said:
“Our caretaker members do a vital job, keeping Thurrock’s housing clean and safe for residents.
“The council’s plan to downgrade their roles is an attempt to save money at the expense of frontline workers.
“Our members are not responsible for the council’s financial mismanagement, and they shouldn’t be made to pick up the tab.”
Pressure mounts on council as dispute escalates
The protest adds to mounting pressure on Thurrock Council as it seeks to stabilise its finances while managing the operational impact of deep budgetary constraints.
Trade union representatives have warned that reducing pay for caretakers risks damaging staff morale and undermining the delivery of essential estate services across the borough.
The council has yet to publicly respond to the latest protest, but the dispute is likely to intensify if plans proceed without amendment.
For GMB and its members, the message from Thursday’s demonstration was clear: workers believe they should not bear the consequences of the council’s wider financial difficulties through reductions to pay and status.
As negotiations continue, the proposed downgrades are expected to remain a flashpoint in the wider debate over how financially pressured local authorities balance budgets while maintaining frontline services.
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