Dozens of caretakers employed by Thurrock Council have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action as a dispute over proposed job downgrades and salary reductions intensifies.
GMB Union, which represents the affected employees, said 96% of those voting backed industrial action on a turnout of 74%. The dispute centres on plans that the union says would downgrade caretaker roles and reduce salaries by an average of £2,000 a year.
The workers are responsible for cleaning and maintaining properties across Thurrock Council’s housing estate. The first strike date is expected to be Tuesday, 29 September.
Caretakers Challenge Proposed £2,000 Average Pay Reduction
The dispute follows a protest staged by caretakers earlier this year after they learned that their positions could be downgraded as part of changes to their employment arrangements.
According to GMB, the proposed restructuring would result in workers losing an average of £2,000 annually. The caretakers initially agreed to take part in a trial period but are now calling for the downgrading proposals to be withdrawn altogether.
The union said employees have raised concerns about how the arrangements operated during the trial. Workers claim they were asked to carry out duties that should fall outside their existing remit.
They also argue that the proposed downgraded positions would not provide the level of service required by residents living in properties across the council’s housing estate.
The ballot result gives the union a mandate for industrial action as it continues to press Thurrock Council to abandon the proposals.
GMB Says Workers Remain Committed to Residents
Gavin Davies, GMB Senior Organiser, said the decision to support industrial action reflected the seriousness of workers’ concerns about both their employment conditions and the potential effect on council services.
“Our members are dedicated to providing a first-class service for residents, so voting to strike is not a decision they have taken lightly.
“They feel it is essential to challenge this downgrade, which will impact their salaries and the service for local residents.
“It’s no secret that the council is in a mess financially, but that is not the fault of our members and neither they nor residents should not be the ones paying for the council’s failings.
“We are urging Thurrock Council to scrap these downgrading plans and ensure they are off the table for good.”
The union’s comments place the dispute within the wider financial pressures facing the local authority while maintaining that employees should not bear the impact through reduced salaries or downgraded positions.
Industrial Action Could Affect Thurrock Housing Services
Caretakers perform day-to-day cleaning and maintenance duties across council housing properties, meaning strike action could potentially disrupt some services if the dispute is not resolved beforehand.
The planned action also increases pressure on both sides to reach an agreement before the expected first strike date. GMB’s position is that the proposed downgrading should be abandoned rather than modified following the trial period.
For the workers, the dispute is not solely about the proposed salary reduction. Their concerns also focus on how responsibilities are defined and whether a downgraded role would allow them to provide the standard of service they believe residents require.
Dispute Moves Towards First Strike Date
With 96% of participating members supporting strike action, the ballot represents a significant escalation in the disagreement between the caretakers and Thurrock Council.
Unless an agreement is reached, the first strike is expected to take place on 29 September. GMB is continuing to call for the downgrading proposals to be removed completely.
The dispute will now focus on whether further discussions can produce a settlement before industrial action begins, with jobs, annual pay and the delivery of housing-estate services remaining at the centre of negotiations.
George Orwell is a writer and contributor covering politics, society, culture, and current affairs. His work focuses on providing clear analysis and thoughtful commentary on the issues shaping modern Britain and the wider world, helping readers better understand complex topics.
