Cynon Valley

Strike ballot over pay could hit bin collection­s

- ANTHONY LEWIS Local Democracy Reporter anthony.lewis@reachplc.com

MORE than 100,000 homes in Rhondda Cynon Taf could have bin collection­s disrupted if refuse workers vote in favour of strike action, a union has said.

The GMB union has confirmed that its members in the RCT council waste and recycling department are being balloted over industrial action.

If members vote in favour of it, the move could see 130 people strike in May, leaving around 108,000 homes without refuse collection­s.

The vote opened last Thursday, May 5. The ballot is expected to run for three weeks, closing on Thursday, May 26.

The union is calling for amendments to the job evaluation scheme as they said the current system leaves essential workers short-changed for their work.

They said that, during the pandemic, refuse workers and other essential service workers were put at risk while council “bigwigs” worked from home.

The GMB said that, over the past decade local government staff have seen their wages cut by around 25%.

Gareth Morgans, GMB regional organiser said: “It’s been two years since the pandemic and still our members haven’t been compensate­d for their risk, nor the importance of their work recognised. They can’t wait forever.

“We saw during the pandemic that refuse workers were some of the people who keep our country ticking over, and all in all they’ve seen on average their wages cut by a quarter over the last decade.”

A spokesman for Rhondda Cynon Taf council said: “The council has entered into discussion­s with the GMB and has indicated that the council’s regrading policy (a policy agreed with the trade unions to support the job evaluation process) should be used to consider the representa­tions of refuse collection staff.

“The council is still awaiting key informatio­n from the GMB before it is able to commence this process.

“Once that process is completed, the council has indicated its willingnes­s to hold further discussion­s.

“Remunerati­on of local government workers is agreed nationally, and this council has supported the representa­tions of the WLGA and LGA, alongside trade unions, for the UK Government to recognise the important roles played by all local government workers in its public sector pay determinat­ions.”

 ?? ?? Refuse collection­s in Rhondda Cynon Taf could be disrupted by industrial action
Refuse collection­s in Rhondda Cynon Taf could be disrupted by industrial action

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