Long-running dispute over antisocial pay resolved

The three-year dispute had involved strike action by some council staff

A dispute over payment for unsociable working hours affecting traffic wardens and social care workers in Wiltshire has been resolved.

Wiltshire Council's new chief executive, Lucy Townsend, has scrapped the controversial changes to the pay in her first meeting with trade unions.

The row, which had involved strike action, began three years ago.

Unison said it welcomed the decision, while the GMB union said it looked forward to working with the council in a spirit of "mutual co-operation".

Lucy Townsend met with members of the three recognised trade unions

In her first meeting with the unions since becoming Chief Executive, Lucy Townsend notified representatives from GMB, Unite the Union and Unison, of a new approach to ongoing discussion on changes to some staff terms and conditions.

She explained that savings that the council proposed in relation to unsocial hours will not affect this year's budget, but were factored in for the future.

The council will now consider ways to make their call-out and stand-by services more cost-effective.

In a statement, chief executive Lucy Townsend said the policies "may need to be revisited in the future", but that she hopes this new approach will allow the council to "move forward positively and reset relationships with the unions".

'A great relief'

Andy Newman, GMB branch secretary, said they welcomed the move

"GMB members have been in dispute with Wiltshire Council for nearly three years now.

"It will therefore be a great relief to our members that the council has withdrawn the proposal to change their unsocial hours payments, and the dispute is now over."

Michael Sweetman from Unison, said he is glad the council are taking a more "considered approach".