GMB has served notice of industrial action by Sandwell bin collectors after last ditch talks broke down.
The union met with Sandwell Council and private outsourcing company Serco last night [January 8, 2020] in a bid to avoid the action.
After a promising start, the talks descended into failure.
GMB members balloted for action short of strike action – working to rule – after Serce urged workers to ignore the company’s own safety rules.
Serco has removed two rounds from the Sandwell domestic waste contract and put the work onto existing crews - This is in on top of all the new build houses placed onto rounds over the last few years.
BREAKING: Bin workers in #Sandwell WILL take industrial action after a last attempt to resolve the dispute was unsuccessful. pic.twitter.com/d4dWf14wRm
— Free Radio News (@freeradionews) January 9, 2020
This has raised serious concerns about health and safety as workers are having to cut corners to try and get work finished.
But when GMB advised members to make sure they follow the company's safe working practices, Serco hauled workers into management meetings about their performance levels.
Stuart Richards, GMB Senior Organiser said:
“We went into last night’s talks full of hope of finding a resolution.
“They last thing they want to do is take industrial action and they certainly don’t want to inconvenience the public.
“But instead of listening to members concerns about their safety and the safety of the public, Serco and Sandwell council are bickering amongst each other.”
