The local authority announced there will be two staggered weeks of unrest, the first from January 9th, followed by a second a week starting on Tuesday January 23rd.
This follows GMB union members walking out in November due to what they described as a ‘toxic work atmosphere’.
The dispute arose from disciplinary proceedings against some workers for supporting elderly woman with dementia and carrying a wheely bin up a disabled resident’s front steps.
At the time of the first strikes more than 80 per cent of the workforce are, or have just been on, a formal warning, according to GMB.
To ramp up the pressure GMB union members will be striking next week, and both GMB and UNITE unions will coordinate their members to strike the second week of 23 January.
What the council says
The council claims the GMB and UNITE unions have refused to sit at the table to try and bring an end to the dispute – walking away from planned conciliation in early December before discussions had begun.
A spokesperson for South Tyneside council said: “This is an extremely challenging time for all; for the workforce, the Council and the communities we serve. The industrial action affects every single resident.
As a council, we are doing everything we can to get as many bins emptied as possible while supporting residents due to the same bin repeatedly hit by the unions’ decision to take strike action.
We understand that any disruption to waste and recycling services is difficult for both residents and businesses and we appreciate how frustrating and inconvenient it is particularly at this time of year.”
It said it was trying to avoid the potential for some bins not to be collected for 8 weeks, due to the way some collections are scheduled, by making changes to collection of certain bins in January.
The spokesperson added: “We appreciate that the instruction to present both bins on non-strike days may add some confusion but with current collection patterns we know that some people face an extended period with either their grey household or blue recycling bins not being collected.
By making changes to collection patterns, we are working hard to mitigate the impact to some extent. Please present both bins and the crews will collect the correct one.
The council further claimed that the GMB was trying “affect a change in operational management.”
Action
The union appeared to counter the council’s claim and said they were ready to negotiate.
Mark Wilson, GMB regional organiser, said: “No worker should face bullying at work. But South Tyneside refuse workers have been raising issues for months and keep being ignored.
“The council needs to end this toxic bullying culture and engage with workers concerns.
“We’re ready to talk to anytime. Council bosses must act or the workers will be left with no choice but to go on strike.”
Next steps
Residents are asked not to present a bin during the two periods of strike action.
Workers will put their concerns direct to councillors at the next full council meeting on 24 January.
The council has said an external investigation, commissioned in September to hear the grievances and pose questions to the council.
The full report of which will be published internally to all parties in the coming weeks.
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