Further talks planned after gritters strike
TWO days of industrial action by road-gritting crews at Carmarthenshire Council have resulted in further talks planned between trade unions and the local authority.
Unions GMB, Unite and Unison asked their members not to carry out road-gritting duties out-of-hours across two nights this month on January 6 and 7.
Further periods of industrial action are also planned up until the end of the month, but a strike scheduled for Monday, January 17 was scrapped after fresh talks were tabled with Carmarthenshire Council, which were due to take place yesterday.
Mark Evans, Carmarthenshire branch secretary of Unison, said: “We have been forced to take this action due to the council, who have flouted the collective winter gritting agreement that they signed two years ago after industrial action then.
“Our members, particularly those with families, are angry that they have on many occasions been left waiting all night for a call to be told whether they will be gritting or not, only not to receive a call.
“This is not about the money but about having enough time for rest periods and not having to stay awake all night waiting to answer the phone.
“These members are not paid standby payments and yet they are expected to be available all night.
“This is in our opinion a clear flouting of the collective winter gritting agreement.”
The council said ahead of the strike action that it rejects comments made by the GMB in relation to the agreement that is in place in relation to winter maintenance duties, and has also put forward a revised offer.
The council also said the agreement, which was put in place in 2020, recognises the valuable contribution council employees make and provides them with a remuneration package which is one of the highest in Wales.
It provides employees with a retainer payment for committing to the rota throughout the winter period to cover gritter driving.
In a typical winter, the council will schedule 310 shifts across 158 days.
Employees are stood down on 201 shifts (65%) out of the 310, instructed to grit on 83 shifts (27%) and where there is uncertainty in a forecast drivers are retained on 26 shifts (8%).
Employees are paid the retainer for all 310 shifts regardless of whether they need to work or not work.
The council said it has always adhered to the terms and conditions of the agreement and, in order to avoid industrial action and to secure the service, it has put forward a revised offer.
Mr Evans added: “Two days of recent industrial action regarding the winter gritting dispute with Carmarthenshire Council were successful in more ways than one.
“All depots had picket lines with the depot picket line in Cross Hands being particularly well attended and supported.
“Our action was a clear show of strength that forced the council back to the negotiating table by offering to reinstate talks.
“We welcome that the council are now prepared to talk but we have asked for reassurances that they are serious about finding a positive solution for our members, adhering to the winter gritting collective agreement and we called for the cabinet member for environmental services to be present.”
Councillor Hazel Evans, Carmarthenshire Council cabinet member for environment, said: “The council spent two years negotiating the winter maintenance agreement and have fully adhered to it since its implementation. The arrangement recognises the valuable contribution our employees make and ensures the safety of our employees. All planned routes were treated during the period of industrial action.
“The authority has always wished to maintain a dialogue and we look forward to the planned meetings with ACAS next week.”