Binmen sit-in over ‘danger’ staff cut plans

ANGER IN TRAFFORD AT PROPOSALS TO HAVE ONLY ONE PERSON PUTTING RUBBISH INTO REFUSE TRUCKS

BINMEN in Trafford are furious over plans to have one person loading rubbish into collection trucks on rounds instead of two.

They staged a sit-in protest over the proposed changes to staffing levels.

Trafford council has revealed discussions are underway with staff and trade unions over a ‘revised operating arrangement’ for green waste collection services to ‘reduce resources’ in winter.

One binman told how staff arrived for work at a depot in Altrincham at 6.30am on Thursday to be called to a meeting.

He said they were told that crews would have to complete their rounds with a driver and one loader, instead of the usual two.

The worker said up to 20 members of staff then sat in the depot’s canteen and refused to go out, citing health and safety fears, until a union rep intervened.

Private company Amey is responsible for bin collections street cleaning and other services in Trafford after a town hall outsourcing deal was struck in 2015.

The GMB union said staff later returned to their collection routes with two loaders on each truck after representations were made.

Binmen have blasted the proposed change as ‘dangerous costcutting,’ saying lives could be at risk if the plans are approved.

One source told the M.E.N.: “They are trying to take a loader off so one man is left doing it all. It’s a cost-cutting exercise and it’s risking our safety. If there was an accident, the driver would not know that I would be lying on the floor - or worse.”

Ray Carrick, an organiser for the GMB union, said ‘swift intervention’ resolved the matter and allowed work to resume. He said: “Guidelines exist for a reason – and we trust this incident now sets a precedent for future collections to guarantee worker and public safety.” Trafford council spokesman said: “Following an investigation into this issue it has been confirmed that there are discussions taking place with all staff and trade unions across the green waste services regarding proposals for a revised operating arrangement which would reduce resources during the agreed winter programmes when there are reduced levels of demand.” It is understood that collections for non-recyclable and recyclable waste are not involved. Amey has been contacted for comment.

It’s a cost-cutting exercise and it’s risking our safety A source giving information to the M.E.N.