Binmen vote for strike action as city axes jobs
BINMEN in Birmingham have voted overwhelmingly for strike action over council plans to axe 122 jobs.
Members of the Unite union voted by 90 per cent to strike, with 93 per cent in support of industrial action short of a strike.
The union said it would now consider its next move in the dispute, based around changes to working patterns, including a reduction in the number of staff on rounds and concerns around safety of binmen loading dustcarts.
Unite said the ballot result fol- lowed the announcement of 122 job losses in a week’s time.
Labour-run Birmingham City Council said it was trying to modernise the refuse collection service, including introducing new technology, to make it more efficient.
But the improvement drive has suffered a string of problems, including missed collections. The service also went over budget by almost £10 million in 2016 and has been propped up by agency staff.
Unite regional officer Lynne Shakespeare said: “Loyal employees, who have worked, in some cases, for up to 30 years in waste services, are being told they are no longer wanted and need to find alternative work.
“The loss of jobs in this area is a disgrace, as bosses continue to increase recruiting agency workers.
“We discovered during the farcical consultation that the management has been instructing our members to collect side waste [boxes and bags left beside the bins] even though it is not budgeted for; to collect ‘green’ waste from residents who have not paid for this service.
“The sad thing is that our members are going to pay the price for this incompetence with their jobs and Birmingham taxpayers are picking up the tab for mismanagement.”
Councillor Lisa Trickett, the council’s bins boss said: “In a genuine attempt to reach agreement, the council went beyond its obligation to consult for 45 days, extending on a number of instances up to 112 days – more than double the time required by law.
“Under our plans, alternative employment within the council will be offered for those affected, minimising the impact and stabilising and securing the workforce.
“It is regrettable that one union has refused to acknowledge the need for changes in working methods that are required to ensure the council’s services are on a sound financial footing.
“Without the changes we are proposing the council would need to find £10 million extra per year to keep things as they are, potentially risking delivery of other unrelated services to citizens.”