However, in a response today (20 July) the council repeated that it is ‘completely willing’ to talk to Unite, the trade union representing the crews, and said it remains ‘disappointed’ by the union’s stance.
On Monday (17 July) Unite said it had ‘little option’ but to hold a series of daily one and two hour stoppages stretching through August until 1 September.
Unite also accused the council of showing a lack of interest in finding a negotiated settlement to the ongoing dispute, which centres on the local authority’s plans to change the structure of its waste collection team, in a bid to cut the overall cost of the service.
Changes
According to the council the changes will involve moving from crews operating on four days per week, working a nine-hour day, to working five, shorter days per week. The council is also seeking to use fewer agency staff to complete rounds.
The union claims that the changes will lead to the loss of 121 waste collection jobs, although the council has said that alternative employment opportunities may be available for displaced staff.
Last month the union said 90% of its members employed as refuse workers at the council had voted in favour of strike action, which went ahead as planned. (See letsrecycle.com story)
In a statement this week, Unite regional officer Lynne Shakespeare said: “Instead of seeking resolution, waste service management has sought conflict by ploughing on with its ill-conceived plans for the service and serving loyal workers with redundancy notices.
“The blame for any missed collections rests squarely with council bosses who have shown themselves incapable of running the service, let alone capable of making any meaningful or positive changes to it.
“We urge the council to think again and start listening to its workers by engaging in meaningful negotiations to resolve this long running dispute.”
Cllr Lisa Trickett, Cabinet Member for Clean streets, Recycling & Environment on current disruption to collections due to industrial action pic.twitter.com/uhDMFspCI2
— Bham City Council (@BhamCityCouncil) July 19, 2017
Cllr Lisa Trickett, cabinet member for clean streets, recycling & environment on current disruption to collections due to industrial action (Video: Birmingham city council)
Response
In response, Birmingham city council said it is ‘completely willing’ to talk with Unite, but expressed disappointment at the union’s stance.
Corporate Director for Place Jacqui Kennedy said: “There are no job losses as a result of the changes being made and we have not issued redundancy notices. In fact we have recently written to colleagues to outline the job opportunities available to them – including opportunities for promotion.
“We would encourage Grade 3 colleagues in the refuse collection service to get in touch and find out what opportunities there are.”
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