Veolia Environmental Services has struck an agreement with waste collection workers in Bromley to suspend proposed strike action over Christmas.
Employees servicing the waste management firms waste collection contract in the south London borough voted earlier this month to go on strike between December 27 and 31 following a dispute over the sacking of four employees for allegedly collecting bulky waste without issuing a charge (see letsrecycle.com story).
The waste in question was said to include an estimated 12 black bags and two large industrial Hippo bags of garden waste as well as other items such as chairs. Originally it had been alleged that the four men had accepted cash for taking the waste, but this allegation was found to be untrue when an appeal took place.
And, despite upholding the decision to dismiss the workers at the appeal hearing in November, it now appears that the four members of staff will return to work, after crunch talks this week between the waste management firm and the employees trade union Unite.
Talks
As a result of the talks which took place on Tuesday and were overseen by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), Unite has agreed to suspend its proposed strike for four weeks pending the reinstatement of the four.
A spokesman for Unite told letsrecycle.com that the men had yet to return to work, but said that arrangements were being made to ensure that they would resume work for the company in the coming weeks.
He said: Veolia and Unite are committed to work on Unite’s proposal to resolve this dispute, namely, to move towards the re-employment of the 4 dismissed employees.
A spokesman for Veolia added: Following successful talks between Veolia and Unite led by ACAS, the industrial action planned by disposal and collection staff in the London Borough of Bromley has been suspended. ACAS will be conducting further talks with the parties to resolve outstanding issues.”
Bromley council has declined to comment further on the issue due to the nature of the dispute, but a spokesman for the local authority said that the council was pleased that industrial action had been averted.
Staff at Veolias Waldo Street depot staged an unofficial walkout in protest against the sackings on October 4, but returned to work within an hour and a half.
A fifth collection crew member is due to have an appeal heard following his dismissal for an alleged verbal dispute with a member of the public.
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