A DISPUTE between support workers and a housing firm over pay cuts has come to an end after several months of strikes.

Since July, workers have protested outside the Cwmbran offices of Bron Afon housing association in Unison-backed industrial action.

Unison criticised the decision by Bron Afon to slash supported housing workers wages from £23,572 to £20,416.

The workers from the supported living team provide assistance to vulnerable people over 50s in their own homes and Unison claimed the firm cut salaries after winning a £540,000 contract.

Following weeks of talks and the backing of Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn, Bron Afon and Unison have reached an agreement to end the dispute.

The two organisations were involved in talks through the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).

In a joint statement, Bron Afon and Unison said: “After talks with ACAS, we are relieved that the dispute has been resolved.

"We were finally able to reach agreement with the team members involved, while staying within the overall grant funding available.

“We’re also committed to taking a joint look at the team structure for future years.

"The team members involved can now get back to focussing on the much-needed support to residents that the service provides.”

The dispute was about new jobs in a new service, with permanent rather than temporary contracts, the same terms and conditions, but with different rates of pay