Freebridge Community Housing trade union workers have balloted to take part in industrial action. As a result, strike days have been announced over the coming weeks.

The trade union members affected are responsible for providing home maintenance repairs and estate services across Freebridge properties.

CEO of Freebridge Community Housing, Anita Jones commented “We are of course very disappointed that we have been unable to reach agreement with some colleagues on the pay award for this year.  We strongly feel that the offer, which has resulted in pay awards ranging from 6-7% non-consolidated and targeted to ensure our lower paid roles receive the most support, is fair and reasonable and absolutely recognises that our colleagues have been impacted by the cost-of-living increases alongside our customers.

This year’s award comes on the back of significant adjustments to our colleagues on lowest paid salaries last year. All salaries at Freebridge are externally benchmarked and are paid the market median, which is appropriate for a business such as ours.

Freebridge Community Housing is a not-for-profit company, and as such, any surplus goes back into our tenants’ homes and communities. We have a moral obligation to ensure that we balance a fair offer to our colleagues, against investment in our tenants’ homes and services. We value all of our team and demonstrate that in the generous wider package that we offer.    

We do understand that this will be very inconvenient for some customers and whole-heartedly apologise. During this time, we will continue to provide an Emergency and Urgent repairs service, as well as to respond to the needs of our most vulnerable customers. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and co-operation during this period of industrial action”.

Industrial Action is expected to take place on 21, 29, 30 and 31 August and on 1, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 of September.