Croydon and Bromley braced for bin strikes

The workers, members of the trade union Unite, will be striking from Tuesday 2 to Thursday July 4. Workers have been offered a 2% pay rise, which they claim is paltry when compared to the rising cost of living.

Around 126 refuse collectors in Bromley and more than 100 in Croydon are likely to be involved in the action. Crews in Bromley were involved in strike action in late 2012 following a dispute, which was later resolved, over the sacking of four workers for allegedly collecting bulky waste without issuing a charge. (see letsrecycle.com).

And, Unite has warned that the dispute could spread to north London, as refuse crews in Camden have also rejected the 2% pay rise in a consultative ballot, and may be balloted for industrial action.

Unite regional officer Onay Kasab said: What Veolia is offering is in reality a pay cut – workers wages are not matching the cost of living. Household bills, food and travel are all getting more expensive.

Veolias managers are always telling us that the company is broke, but the companys accounts reveal it is a very profitable business. Yet our members on 18,000-20,000-a-year, who help generate these profits, are offered a paltry pay offer.

We urge the management to come to the negotiating table before next weeks strikes and make our members a fair and decent offer that reflects the hard work that contributes to the companys profitability. Otherwise, there could be more strikes in Croydon and Bromley and the real possibility of strikes in Camden.

Disruption

Councillor Phil Thomas, Croydons cabinet member for highways and environmental services, commented that the local authority was currently working to minimise the disruption to services in the area.

He said: Our top priority right now is to make sure that Veoila have contingency plans in place so that the votes of a small minority of their staff dont disrupt our waste and recycling collections to any great extent.

Only 36 out of their 300 staff took part in this ballot and the vote in favour was only won by a small majority of eight. Im sure this reflects the fact that many people are currently coping with pay freezes, so a 2% increase, whilst still slightly below inflation, will still be seen as welcome.

Brighton

This follows seven day strike action by collection workers in Brighton and Hove, in a dispute over pay (see letsrecycle.com story). Following the industrial action, the GMB trade union which represents the Brighton and Hove city council workers has agreed to suspend any further strikes for 28 days, to allow members to consider amended pay proposals tabled by the council.

In a joint statement, GMB and Brighton and Hove city council said: Following a series of negotiations between representatives of BHCC and GMB, a proposal has been made which enables the current industrial action to be temporarily suspended.

The negotiations focused on the councils proposed changes to the allowances currently paid to staff. The latest proposal made by the council includes a service redesign which will be to the benefit of residents of the city.

As a result GMB has now agreed to suspend the industrial action for a period of 28 days. This will allow the Union to consult its members as to whether they accept the proposal by a postal ballot.