The agreement to suspend the strike action was brokered by the conciliation service ACAS following talks with Unite and Countrystyle Recycling.
The strike began on 12 July and were due to continue until 19 August. However, the temporary halt will allow collections to continue while discussions continue.
Unite members who work for Countrystyle went on strike over what Unite claimed to be a “a below-inflation pay deal” and working conditions on 13 July, with action set to last until 7 August (see letsrecycle.com story).
In particular, the Union was upset at what it described as the ending of the job and finish provision for Countrystyle’s workers.
However, Countrystyle says “at no time” has it sought to end job and finish. Instead, it claims a “reinterpretation” of job and finish is required “to reflect a modern approach to delivering a productive and quality outcome for Bexley residents.”
ACAS
According to Countrystyle, the suspension of strike action will enable the pair “to continue negotiations, using the services of ACAS, on the terms of a Code of Practice for collaborative future working that seeks to address historic concerns raised by both sides”.
Countrystyle added that its offer of further 6% pay increase and a one-off goodwill payment connected to acknowledgement of the Code of Practice, remains on the table.
Unite has warned however that strike action will recommence on 20 August, saying: “if the negotiations do not lead to an agreement which is acceptable to Unite’s members then strike action will resume on Saturday 20 August.
There is an understanding between Countrystyle and Unite to work together in a collaborative way to address concerns
‘Positive’
Countrystyle’s compliance director, Stuart Butler-Gallie said: “This is a positive step forward in this dispute and with the support of the staff returning from strike action, we will be able to focus on returning collection services to normal for Bexley residents in a controlled manner and as soon as possible.
“There is an understanding between Countrystyle and Unite to work together in a collaborative way to address concerns that each party has over historic working practices, whilst preserving the concept of ‘job and finish’ for those members of staff who have this contractual right”.
Mr Butler-Gallie continued: “On behalf of the Board of Countrystyle, I would like to thank those members of staff engaged on the contract and from within Countrystyle’s wider resources, who have worked so hard in very difficult conditions to deliver the agreed revised level of service during the strike period. I would also like to thank the residents of Bexley for their patience and understanding and hope that they can continue to support Countrystyle in its efforts to catch-up with any backlog over the coming weeks”.
Extensive negotiations
The Union said in its statement that “sufficient progress” was made to allow it to suspend strike action, after a deal was brokered by Acas.
Sufficient progress was made to allow Unite to suspend strike action
Unite acting national officer Clare Keogh said: “Following extensive negotiations held at Acas, sufficient progress was made to allow Unite to suspend strike action.
“It is hoped that during further in-depth negotiations the remaining outstanding issues can be resolved and a satisfactory resolution to the dispute reached.”
Bexley
The number of people involved in the industrial action varies in reports from the company and union: Unite claims more than 100 workers, responsible for loading and driving bin lorries, have gone on strike; Countrystyle reports that 70 members of staff have “withdrawn their labour”.
With a population of nearly 250,000, the London borough of Bexley had a household waste recycling rate of 50% in the 2020/21 financial year.
Sittingbourne-based Countrystyle won a 10-year collections contract with Bexley in July 2021 (see letsrecycle.com story). This marked Countrystyle’s first move into domestic waste collections although it has worked directly in the local authority sector on HWRCs.
Countrystyle took over from outsourcing giants Serco, which also faced strikes during the course of its contract (see letsrecycle.com story).
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