The action would come at Hills Municipal Collections which won a contract to collect from 220,000 homes in Wiltshire – which excludes Swindon – in 2018.
In a statement, the GMB said that refuse operatives, loaders and drivers “will walk out on February 28”. Hills Municipal (which is part of Swindon-based) Hills Waste Solutions said the union had failed to engage meaningfully before calling the strike.
‘Pay cut’
The GMB said that “GMB’s 70 members across three sites, employed by Hills Waste Solutions in Trowbridge, Salisbury and Calne, are furious after management imposed a two per cent pay award – amounting to a massive real-terms pay cut – and failed to negotiate meaningfully with GMB.”
The Union reported that the ballot saw more than 98% per cent of those voting to strike, on a return of almost 85%.
Local sources suggested to letsrecycle.com that the number of GMB member could be lower. The contract sees three trade unions involved, the other two are Unison and Unite with the contract operating on a ‘Tri-Union’ basis.
Nicola Nixon, GMB Regional Organiser, said that notice had been served on the employer and pickets were being arranged for the first strike day.
We were told at our last meeting that there is an improved offer, but that they won’t tell us what it is
The GMB official continued: “Time is running out if Hills want to get back around the table to discuss our members pay expectations of a seven per cent pay increase before any possible major disruption of waste and recycling collections for more than 250,000 homes.
“We can’t negotiate on our own and despite GMB having the largest membership, Hills have done nothing to make us think that’s going to change. We were told at our last meeting that there is an improved offer, but that they won’t tell us what it is yet.”
Tri-Union recognition
Responding to the GMB’s ballot and strike call, Hills said it was disappointed as the union had not “fully engaging in negotiations with the company on our 2021/22 pay review offer”. Hills also said the GMB was not acting in accordance with the Tri-Union recognition agreement with the company.
The company stated: “Hills Municipal Collections is still waiting for both Unison and Unite’s responses under the terms of the Tri-Union recognition agreement to the pay review offer made.
The pay review offer was made in September 2021, however, GMB have only entered into meaningful dialogue since they have determined to ballot for strike action. This approach is not in the spirit of finding a resolution. Hills Municipal Collections recognises and greatly values the work of our kerbside collections crews especially as demonstrated throughout the pandemic.”
The current stance of the GMB does not acknowledge the positive actions taken by Hills Municipal Collections during a very challenging period
Hills also pointed to the support offered by the company during the coronavirus pandemic, and said that the company had offered enhanced financial benefit to support employees required to self-isolate or where they have contracted coronavirus.
The company added that “a special lockdown bonus has been paid in recognition of all employees that helped maintain critical frontline services during the first national lockdown. The current stance of the GMB does not acknowledge the positive actions taken by Hills Municipal Collections during a very challenging period for both employees and the wider Hills business as a whole.”
Regarding the amount offered, Hills said it offers pay reviews based on affordability and the 2021/22 pay review offered was in line with comparable local pay reviews, indexation and the cost of living at the time.
Wiltshire council
Wilshire council said that it had talks with Hills to try to ensure disruption is minimised.
Councillor Mark McClelland, cabinet member for waste services, said: “This is a matter for our waste contractor, Hills Municipal Collections, and the union, but if there was industrial action as has been stated, it may affect some of the waste collection services that they provide on the council’s behalf.
“We remain hopeful that the two parties can resolve this matter without the need for strike action, but if not, we are working closely with Hills to ensure that any potential disruption would be kept to a minimum.”
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