The suspension of a waste collection worker who revealed Birmingham councils plans to roll out extra green waste collections could lead to strike action, trade union GMB has warned.
Union representative Paul Langley, who works at the councils recycling depot, spoke to the press about the councils decision to clear-up green waste that had been dumped on the citys streets in the run up to the local elections last month.
The Labour-run council, which introduced a 35 opt-in charge for green waste collections earlier this year, conceded it had reached a tipping point on the amount discarded and rolled out the extra collections – regardless of whether residents had paid or not (see letsrecycle.com story).
Despite a long campaign by opposition members over the handling of collections, Labour managed to maintain a comfortable majority on the council following the May election and finished with 77 seats compared to totals of 31 and 12 from the Conservatives and Lib Dems respectively.
But the row has once again escalated with GMB denouncing the suspension of Mr Langley who has served as a representative of the Union for six years as politically motivated.
Speaking to letsrecycle.com, GMB organiser Gillian Whittaker said there had been no explanation from the council regarding its decision, and that Mr Langley had conducted numerous interviews with the press regarding fleet and waste operations in the past.
She said: GMB representatives have always had the freedom to talk to the press, but in this instance the council has decided that they want to pick on one particular shop steward.
I would like to see the council drop all charges and reinstate Paul immediately. If they continue down this path we will look to ballot our members to take industrial action.
Deadline
Ms Whittaker added that GMB was also in the process of taking legal action against the suspension, and would deliver a deadline for the council to respond to its demands in the coming days.
A Birmingham city council spokesperson said: A member of staff has been suspended without prejudice. As the related investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.
Meanwhile, there has been no repeat of the clear-up carried out in the days before the local elections.
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