This is the latest development in a long-running dispute between trade union Unite and Birmingham city council over proposed changes to working practices of the council’s refuse and recycling collection workers.
The trade union was told today (14 February) that it had been unsuccessful in its attempt to obtain an injunction to stop crews carrying out waste collections without a ‘Grade 3 Leading Hand’ present on vehicles, until a full hearing into the issue is held.
Unite says that it had reached a High Court agreement with the council in 2017 to bring an end to industrial action if the “safety critical role of the Grade 3 Leading Hands” was protected from job cuts.
Birmingham city council, however, says the claims are without merit and that the Leading Hand role no longer exists.
Ruling
Commenting on today’s ruling, Unite assistant general secretary Howard Beckett said: “While the court has not felt able to give an interim injunction pending the final hearing, Unite is pleased that the judge has recognised that there needs to be a full trial held on ‘serious issues’ held as quickly as possible.
“If Birmingham council does not give an immediate assurance that it will abide by the 2017 agreement and restore safety critical staff to all bin lorries, Unite will be forced to ballot for industrial action on this matter.”
In response to the ruling today, a Birmingham city council spokesperson said: “As stated from the outset, we entirely refute the misleading claims made by Unite that formed the basis of this court hearing.
“The Leading Hand role no longer exists. By agreement with Unite and with the backing of a Court Order in November 2017, it was replaced with the Waste Reduction Collection Officer role, which went operational in September 2018.
“Due to the industrial action instigated by Unite, we have had to introduce a contingency plan featuring the use of mop-up crews and contractors (their own staff, fuel and vehicles) in order to continue to provide a waste service to the residents, visitors and businesses of Birmingham. This falls outside the remit of the agreement reached to end the 2017 dispute.
“In simple terms, the claims made by Unite were without merit.
“We invite Unite the union to reconsider their position as a matter of urgency to end the dispute so we can finally get back to the work needed to provide the level of service that citizens expect and deserve.”
Overtime
In December over 300 refuse workers who are members of the Unite Union voted in favour of an overtime ban and work to rule over alleged payments to some members of staff following strike action in 2017 – relating to job cuts.
However, after further talks, the Union announced earlier this month that it will be striking for two days a week from February 19 (see letsrecycle.com story).
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