Union warns of 'major disruption' as Haringey housing repair workers announce fresh strikes

Housing repair workers in Haringey are to strike for four days next week in an ongoing dispute over pay with the local council.

More than 100 Unite members will be taking industrial action from Monday April 29 until Thursday May 2.

A spokesperson for the union said the strike “will inevitably cause major disruption”.

Haringey Council has been approached for a comment by the Standard.

The long-running dispute has seen members already take 15 days of industrial action, but Unite claims Haringey Council “has refused to negotiate”.

Unite members are in dispute with the authority over several issues including a refusal to increase annual leave for housing maintenance workers, so their holiday allowance matches an increase given to council employees.

They also dispute a “failure to increase allowances, including London weighting and out of hours payments, in line with the 2022 and 2023 pay awards”.

On Monday, the first day of this round of strikes, workers and union staff will be protesting at a Haringey council event at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, from 9am until midday.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Haringey’s false statements will not wash. The council knows full well it can negotiate on pay and conditions and is simply making excuses.

“Our members are rightly furious over the way they are being treated and will receive Unite’s complete support.”

Around 110 workers in Haringey have reportedly rejected a national pay offer of a flat rate increase of £1,925, which has been imposed by Haringey Council.

Unite says the offer is below the rate of inflation and amounts to a real-terms pay cut.

Unite regional officer Simon McCartney said: “The strike action will inevitably cause major disruption.

“Unite members have made a comprehensive proposal to resolve this dispute, one that meets the needs of tenants and the employer. Yet has refused to negotiate without preconditions. Until it changes its approach, the council can expect more of the same.”