All workers – not just HGV drivers – deserve more than a real terms pay cut
Manchester faces a mass bin strike affecting 220,000 homes as refuse collectors begin an industrial action ballot.
Around 200 workers employed by outsourced waste management company Biffa will take part in the vote, which begins on 29 March and ends on 12 April.
The dispute stems from Biffa is refusing to increase wages for the majority of the workers above the 1.75 per cent that local government workers received for 2021.
In spite of extensive negotiations Biffa has refused to increase its offer, despite it being a private company and therefore not bound by public sector pay restraint policies.
The workers - who are members of both GMB and Unite unions – include drivers, loaders and environmental operatives.
Despite its commercial waste operation being heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and several lockdowns, Biffa remains highly profitable, recording pre-tax profits of £26 million last year.
Michael Clark, GMB Regional Organiser, said:
“We’ve told Biffa several times our members have rejected the offer put forward.
“Yet they have decided to pay their final offer to our members because they think it is morally right to do so.
“Our members want more than moral recognition for working through wind, rain, hail and covid.
“This is the worst cost of living crisis for 30 years and all workers – not just HGV drivers – deserve more than a real terms pay cut.
“It’s not too late to avoid mass disruption for the people of Manchester. We are happy to return to the table and look forward to receiving an improved offer to put to our members.”
