Strike threat after disabled workers were ‘sacked’

BINMEN are to vote on strike action in Sandwell over claims disabled staff were “bullied and sacked”.

The GMB union has alleged that disabled workers who shielded during the pandemic were sacked and others were “threatened for speaking out about safety issues”.

Contractor Serco, which provides the bins service, has denied the claims.

The GMB said 98 per cent of members voted to proceed to a strike ballot recently which may lead to a vote on whether to begin industrial action in the coming weeks.

Justine Jones, GMB Regional

Organiser, claimed: “Serco are showing their nasty side to the world once again, threatening members who raise safety concerns and trying to bully their way to profit.

“They don’t understand, you can’t beat solidarity with cruelty, and our members are in this fight to win.

“Nobody goes to work to be bullied, injured or abused. We won’t stop until the culture changes.”

It comes after bin collections across the borough were delayed in February due to a bout of coronavirus-related staff absences.

A Serco spokesman said: “We recognise the work of our team delivering an important service for the residents of Sandwell during the pandemic. The decision by the union to hold a ballot is disappointing and we refute the specific allegations being made. We are continuing dialogue with the GMB and will continue to discuss their concerns.”

Cllr David Fisher, Sandwell Council’s Tory opposition leader, said: “They are not fit for purpose and need to be called in to explain themselves. They are not fulfilling their contractual obligations with missed household bins, missed street litter bins, and street cleaning.

“It feels like we’ve gone back to the 1970s. They have years left on the contract and the residents of Sandwell can’t continue to suffer.”

West Bromwich East Conservative MP Nicola Richards said: “The allegations of bullying at Serco are deeply concerning. But strike action is definitely not the way forward.”

A Sandwell Council spokesman said: “This is a matter for Serco to resolve with their employees, however we will continue to work with our partners at Serco and hope they can work with their employees and the trade union to resolve these matters quickly without disruption to our residents.”