Council pays for empty bins to be emptied again as Southampton
industrial action intensifies
24 July 2011
Agency refuse collectors are being paid to empty already empty
bins by Conservative Southampton council as the long-running strike
by city workers takes an absurd turn.
Unite the union says that contractors brought in to break the
long-running strike across the south coast city are, far from
helping matters, causing chaos. The news comes as a further
seven days' strike action by the city's workers gets underway
tomorrow (Monday) and more is set to follow as the refuse workers
meet to consider stepping up their protest.
Reports are coming in that contract refuse collectors are
missing out whole roads and blocks of flats. In some parts of
Southampton - Woolston and Freemantle - they are also clearing
rubbish twice within three or four days even if it means emptying
empty bins.
Unite regional officer, Ian Woodland, said the situation was
ludicrous:“Unite members are questioning whether the council
actually knows what it is doing. Likewise local residents are
beginning to question the expense of continuing with contractors
brought in by the Tory council to break the strike.
“It is a ludicrous waste of taxpayers’ money. Far better
for the council to focus on getting an honourable settlement
through talks.”
Workers across the entire council have been taking industrial
action since May in protest at their employer’s imposition of pay
cuts and poorer contracts, hitting some 4,300 workers.
Further strike action has been set to begin on Monday 25 July
until Monday 1 August. Workers including parking enforcement
officers, street cleansing and transport workers will take all-out
strike action while refuse workers decided on 22 July to take
action short of strike. They will decide tomorrow on whether to
give seven days’ notice to begin full strike action on 1
August.
Talks between the joint unions, Unison and Unite, and the
council have been taking place since 15th July but no resolution
has been reached. The joint unions intend to continue negotiations
with the employers tomorrow (Monday) urging the council to come to
its senses and restore the workers’ pay.
Ian Woodland continued: “The workforce is growing more angry and
frustrated that the council has brought nothing new to the table in
order to resolve this dispute. Our members are making it clear that
industrial action will continue until the council sees sense and
restores their pay and conditions.
“While we continue to make every effort to progress these
negotiations, the workforce says the dispute could spread to those
not yet on strike. The council must understand the
determination of the workforce and not underestimate its
willingness to protest against these unnecessary pay cuts.”
ENDS
For further information please contact Ian Woodland on 07770 704
480
