Bin strike looming across Sandwell after talks break down
More bins misery looms across Sandwell as refuse collectors prepare to officially strike in the new year.
Residents have already had to put up with waste piling up in their streets after 'unofficial' strikes going on since November.
Now union talks with Sandwell Council have broken down and GMB confirmed binmen across the borough were one step closer to industrial action – with the ballot closing on January 6.
It comes after Serco, which handles the domestic waste contract for the council, removed two bin lorries and put the work on existing crews.
Hopes fade
However Darren James, GMB branch secretary, said he hoped that industrial action could averted.
He said: "We’ve tried to resolve this amicably both directly with the council and via Acas, but Serco isn’t listening.
"The bottom line is the safety of the public and our hard-working bin collectors has got to come before saving a few quid.
"Hopefully the council and Serco will realise this and industrial action can be averted."
Serco removed two rounds from the Sandwell domestic waste contract – on top of all the new build houses placed onto rounds over the last few years, said GMB.
The union said this raised serious concerns about health and safety as workers were having to cut corners to try and get work finished.
But when the union advised members to make sure they follow the company's safe working practices, Serco called workers into management meetings about their performance levels.
Complaints
Residents have taken to social media to complain about their bins not being collected, with some fearing that rubbish could blow down the street in the winter weather.
Sandwell Council has been reassuring locals that bins will be collected "as soon as possible".
The ballot for industrial action closes on January 6, leaving residents potentially facing a new year without bin collections.
Mr James added: "Our members are currently following the safe working practices defined by Serco in their training inductions, but due to the increased workload following a reduction in the number of collection rounds, our members are unable to complete all collections without neglecting safe working practices."
John Mason, regional contract director for Serco, said: "We will continue to speak with our employees and unions to find a resolution."
