Union says key agreement will protect jobs for more than 650 people
Liverpool Streetscene Services Limited is to be brought in-house. File picture
Hundreds of workers at Liverpool City Council will see a major change to their employment after a landmark deal brokered with a trade union. More than 650 city council staff will see their roles brought back under council control.
The staff involved currently work under the banner of Liverpool Streetscene Services Ltd (LSSL) and include refuse workers, street cleaners, green spaces teams. grave diggers and infrastructure workers. LSSL was established as an arms-length company, owned by the council, back in 2016.
The team carry out a number of essential services around the city.
But now, those workers will once again become fully-fledged council employees as the department comes back in house.
The GMB union said the “landmark” deal has come after months of intense negotiations and will come into effect in October.
According to the union, the deal guarantees workers the following:
- New permanent, full-time jobs created immediately, added to the jobs already created in all service areas with more to come.
- All staff fully protected under TUPE transfer regulations with no compulsory redundancies.
- Entry into the Local Government Pension Scheme after years of campaigning.
- Funding secured and invested directly into workers and job creation, with bonuses now incorporated into contracted pay.
- Future job creation in food waste services, expected to deliver 60 jobs in the coming years.
GMB said the agreement also protects employees under threat from being outsourced, safeguards ill health packages for leavers, and ensures members will not lose any income, holidays, pensions, reward days, or allowances.
Bernie Cleary, GMB Regional Organiser, said: “This deal is the culmination of months of open and honest negotiation.
“For the first time in 34 years and numerous transfers to different companies, these services are coming back into public ownership – reversing the disastrous privatisation agenda of the Thatcher era.
Liverpool’s waste collectors are being brought in house(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“Our members can now look forward to real job security, better conditions, and a future where vital services are run for people, not profit.”
Stephen Durkin, a Liverpool refuse worker, said: “Whilst at times it’s been difficult, GMB has been open with members every step of the way – no false promises.
“We’ve fought for every job, every benefit, and the outcome speaks for itself: more jobs, better pensions, and stronger services for Liverpool.”