Strike threat at Torus Group over pay dispute

Home26 Apr 2018Gavriel Hollander

Up to 850 housing workers at Torus Group could go on strike after union leaders called a ballot at the North West housing association.

The ballot has been called after workers rejected pay offers of 1.5 per cent for 2017/18 and two per cent for 2018/19.

Torus has called the offer “fair and proportionate, in line with sector norms”.

Members of Unite and Unison will begin voting next month, with any potential strike action set for early summer.

The unions said that strike action would affect 22,000 tenants across Torus Group, who may not receive urgent repair work and could face delays to planned maintenance work.

John Sheppard, Unite regional officer, said: “If strike action occurs then Torus’ tenants across Warrington and St Helens are going to see severe disruption to their repairs and maintenance service, which will result in cancelled visits, disruption and delays.

“This dispute is entirely of the company’s own making. It has been caused by the company’s intransigence and their failure to negotiate."

“The two-year pay award of 1.5 per cent for this year and two per cent for 2018/19 is fair and proportionate, in line with sector norms. It allows us to manage our business costs in a responsible way, in the context of the year-on-year rent reduction, and helps us protect the interests of our customers and communities.

“We are still in dialogue with trade union and it would be regrettable if industrial action were to occur and disrupt vital services to our customers.”