Over 120 Greenwich housing repair staff could be set to strike in the new year after unions claim the workforce is being "lined up by Greenwich Council as 'the fall guy' to pay for Covid-19.

Unite say a new pay-scale system could cost some workers up to £20,000 a year in wages, and has said more than 120 carpenters, decorators, electricians and plumbers who maintain the borough’s housing stock voted by 98 per cent for strike action.

Greenwich Council has responded by saying it is currently engaged in "very constructive and positive negotiations" with three trade unions to improve the old productivity agreement for its repairs staff.

Unite's regional officer Onay Kasab is warning that housing repairs in the borough could be seriously disrupted in the new year, although the union is "allowing breathing space for last-ditch talks to advert the announcement of strike dates."

He is accusing the council of using the Covid-19 pandemic as an excuse to axe worker wages.

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Mr Kasab said: "Again, it looks like the public sector workforce is being lined up as ‘the fall guy’ to pay for Covid-19, while those with links to the ‘no shame’ Tory establishment pocket millions from the inflated prices paid for vital PPE.

“The council now has a window of opportunity to row back from its hardline stance and negotiate a fair settlement, otherwise we will announce strike dates for the new year which will cause havoc to the maintenance programme of the council’s housing stock.”

A spokesperson from the Council said: "The Royal of Borough of Greenwich is engaged in very constructive and positive negotiations with all three of our recognised trade unions to improve the old productivity agreement for our repairs staff.

"These were last updated in 2013, and so we are hopeful that we can agree terms that reward good productive work for staff and the best possible repairs service for the residents of the Borough."

The crux of the dispute is a new pay system that could see up to £20,000 slashed from workers’ pay packets. Unite members are on pay scales ranging from £35,000 to £55,000.

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Kasab added: “However, you slice this to lose about £20,000-a-year living and working in one of the world’s most expensive cities is totally unacceptable.

“We believe that the council bosses are using Covid-19 as an excuse to implement the new pay scales – and this is an act of bad faith, especially as they reneged on a previous agreement on pay."

A similar dispute in October 2019 saw strike action called off after positive discussions regarding a new pay structure.

Unite Greenwich branch secretary Danny Hoggan said: “We have a huge mandate as a result of this vote – the message is very clear.

"It is time for the council to make a decision. The strength of feeling has been demonstrated by the size of the ‘yes’ vote. Our members will not be made to pay the price of Covid-19.”