Bromleys waste collection vehicle operatives look set to strike between Christmas and the New Year, after four drivers who claim they have been wrongfully dismissed lost their appeal against the sackings.
The four men, employed by waste management firm Veolia ES, lost their jobs last month after it was alleged that they had taken a cash tip from a resident for moving excess waste from the kerbside (see letsrecycle.com story).
But, during the appeal, it was found that the men had not accepted a cash tip for moving the waste, although it was heard that they had collected an amount of bulky waste without issuing a charge, and the sackings were upheld.
The drivers trade union, Unite, began balloting its members over industrial action last week, with results due to be announced on November 27.
Speaking to letsrecycle.com, Unite spokesman Onay Kasab, said: The initial appeal was heard for the four men, and it was established that no money was taken. The charge is simply for taking excess garden waste. The member of the public gave a written statement begging that the four men should not be dismissed, and that she had made it very difficult for them not to take the waste.
We have also established that they did not go out of their way to pick it up. We have seen photographs of the amount of garden waste and it is pitiful. The appeal was turned down which means it is more likely that we are looking at strike action.
The trade union says there is a strong desire among the 120 members to strike in support of the four, who they feel have been unfairly dismissed.
Response
In response to the claims made by Unite, councillor Colin Smith, Bromleys deputy leader and executive councillor for environment, said: It is clearly Veolias job to manage its staff in line with the HR policies and disciplinary codes they have previously agreed with the Union, which in this instance, appear to have been breached in a very big way by the four individuals in question.
Veolia have confirmed that we are not talking about removing a bag of garden waste as a favour to a little old lady here, rather an estimated 12 black bags and two large industrial Hippo bags of garden waste as well as other items such as chairs from the property concerned, the total amount of unauthorised waste collected weighing approximately 400 kilograms.
Its always sad to see people lose their jobs, but when you are caught red-handed completely ignoring the rules that your own employer and union have both signed up to, its very difficult to see what other choice Veolia had.
The council is now calling on the drivers taking part in the ballot to consider the issues and is urging them not to go on strike.
Councillor Smith added: What incentive and message would it send to the vast majority of hard working, rule abiding Bin Crews to see such a flagrant breach of the rules ignored?
I would respectfully encourage all of those about to vote to carefully consider all of the issues and evidence involved, rather perhaps than just what they are being told, prior to committing themselves to the call for strike action.
An unofficial walkout has already taken place at Veolias Waldo Street depot in protest against the sackings on October 4, but the staff returned to work within an hour and a half.
A Veolia Environmental Services spokesperson said: We have been issued with a 7-day ballot notice in Bromley. This does not necessarily mean industrial action will be taken and we will continue to work closely with Unite the Union, maintaining open dialogue and consultation.
A fifth member of staff is due to have an appeal heard following his dismissal for an alleged verbal dispute with a motorist.
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