Threat of bin strike over
BIN workers in Kirklees who threatened an indefinite all-out strike have finally called off their planned industrial action.
The resolution follows weeks of talks between Kirklees Council and bin workers’ union Unison over unmanageable workloads and allegations of bullying and harassment.
In a joint statement Karl Battersby, service director for Kirklees Council, and Paul Holmes, branch secretary for Kirklees Unison, said they were “pleased” to report that a settlement had been achieved.
They added: “This means that the threat of industrial action affecting the service has now been lifted.” There were fears that a strike would affect tens of thousands of bin collections across South Kirklees.
The stand-off between union and the council has rumbled on for months with local union members seemingly at odds with regional chiefs.
However the joint statement is unequivocal in underlining the latest stage in arbitration talks.
It said: “The matters which gave rise to the dispute - difficulties with staff taking annual leave, allegations of bullying and harassment, in addition concerns were raised regarding the equity in refuse collection rounds - have been resolved through a process of dialogue and negotiation between Kirklees Council and Kirklees Unison which has led to actions being agreed and new arrangements being established.
“Regular arrangements to facilitate dialogue on any issues of difficulty have been established along with a review of the refuse collection rounds involving all the trade unions in the service, service management and independent support.
“An agreement on the management of accrued annual leave has been implemented and a process of dialogue on the future management of annual leave is in place.
“The allegations of bullying and harassment have been fully investigated, the council have actioned the recommendations of the report, also a statement of the expected culture and behaviours for the service is now in place.
“Additional staff have been placed within the service and they will remain in place until the new collection rounds are implemented.
“Both the council and Kirklees Unison are fully committed to work together to ensure that service for citizens of Kirklees can be maintained and improved, and to work to find negotiated solutions to any difficulties that arise.”
The leader of the Labour-run administration at Kirklees Council Clr Shabir Pandor said: “I am delighted that we have now resolved this dispute and that all parties involved have an agreed way forward.
“Management and union representatives have worked hard to ensure that residents and businesses can look forward to the level of service they
Meanwhile, bin workers and tip staff who are Unison members in Calderdale are set to strike on Monday and Tuesday, disrupting bin collections.
The workers involved in the dispute are unhappy that the company has yet to offer them what the union calls a “fair” pay increase this year despite the French-based giant having made an operating profit of £607.3 million in the first six months of 2018.
Residents should put their bins out as normal.