HDC comment on planned strike action in Huntingdonshire

UNISON announced that HDC's refuse, housing and customer service workers will strike on Friday October 6 after council bosses continue to refuse to implement an agreed pay deal.

However, Councillor Martin Hassall, executive councillor for corporate and shared services, said: the council "has not refused to implement any pay agreement.

“In a pay award that affects all staff, members have been clear that we must get the views of all employees.

Huntingdonshire District Councillor Martin Hassall, executive councillor for corporate and shared services (Image: HDC)

“Following lengthy and transparent discussions with UNISON and our employee Representatives Group, where we openly discussed the financial situation of the council, a clear offer was made with the agreement that we would carry out a transparent process that would seek the views of all our staff on the pay offers that were put forward.

“The voluntary agreement with the council and UNISON, who represent an important but small element of our overall staff base, was agreed to in the spirit of constructive relations.

“It is therefore disappointing that UNISON have gone back on the agreement to seek the views of all staff and that they have signalled their intention to take this course of action.

READ MORE: Bin strikes back on as council refuses to implement agreed pay rise, says UNISON

“Talks are scheduled for October 4, and we very much hope that industrial action can be avoided or resolved quickly.”

"Arrangements will be put in place to ensure that we can maintain our frontline services as best we can on the days affected, but some services will have to be prioritised at the expense of others

“We would ask for the public's patience. If there are any changes to services, then we will communicate these via our website and social media."