Peter Lazenby
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WORKERS who maintain 7,000 houses for a Norfolk housing association say they are so badly paid they cannot afford to heat their own homes.
Sixty workers at Freebridge Community Housing are set to strike over pay, their union Unite has said.
Freebridge has a multimillion-pound turnover but pays its workers only a few pence more than the minimum wage of £11.44 an hour, according to the union.
Freebridge took over council houses formerly run by King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council in 2006.
Unite said that last year the association had a turnover of over £32 million and pocketed a surplus of almost £4m.
The union said rents were also increased.
The workers, who have already taken industrial action this year, will strike from Wednesday December 27 to Friday January 4 2024.
They have rejected a 5 per cent pay increase and £500 lump sum payment.
Unite said the strike would “severely impact” maintenance work.
General secretary Sharon Graham said: “Freebridge should be ashamed. It is in robust financial health while its hardworking staff are struggling to make ends meet.
“Unite is fully committed to protecting and enhancing its members’ jobs, pay and conditions and the workers at Freebridge have the union’s complete support.”
Unite regional officer Steve Harley said: “The blame for the upcoming disruption for tenants lies entirely with Freebridge.
“It’s clear it can afford to pay our members a fair increase but is choosing not to. We demand a reasonable pay rise.”
Freebridge was invited to comment.
