Norfolk County Council has signed a deal with its unions to introduce a new pay and reward package for more than 16,000 staff.
Members of the Unison union voted overwhelmingly to accept the new package, which fulfils the council’s obligations under the national Single Status agreement – designed to introduce equal pay across the local government workforce.
Council bosses had previously already agreed a deal with the GMB and Unite unions following lengthy negotiations. The contract includes a simplified staff grading structure and modernised terms and conditions.
Anne Gibson, head of HR and organisational development at Norfolk County Council, said: “This is a very important step forward for us and a significant achievement. We always wanted to reach a collective agreement and are delighted that having done so, we can now get on with the task of implementing the new arrangements.
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“It has been a complex process but I firmly believe that we have now arrived at an agreement that is fair and strengthens our ability to recruit and retain the high quality people who will ensure that we continue to deliver high quality, value for money services for our residents.”
Councils across England and Scotland have been struggling to introduce equal pay, with many facing thousands of legal claims from mainly female workers over back pay.
