SERCO workers in North Norfolk and Breckland have accepted a double-digit pay rise, putting an end to the threat of more refuse strikes, their union said today.

Refuse, street cleansing, grounds maintenance and cleansing workers approved the two-year deal that includes a 20 per cent rise for the lowest-paid staff.

And HGV drivers have won a new basic rate of £14.31 an hour from April 2023, rising from £10.56 in March 2022.

In March, workers walked out for a week after no agreement was made.

They were due to strike again in April but called off action after receiving an improved offer and 55 per cent of Unison members voted in favour.

Unison Eastern regional organiser Cameron Matthews said: “Serco has spent the last few years raking in millions of profits while subjecting Norfolk workers to real-terms pay cuts and rock-bottom wages.

“But refuse, street cleansing, grounds maintenance and cleansing workers in North Norfolk and Breckland have stuck together to win a massive pay rise.

“These vital workers still deserve more — that’s why the vote to accept was so close — but they’ve won a huge victory by joining together in Unison.”