Gritting workers to be balloted over strike action
HIGHWAY maintenance workers at Carmarthenshire Council are doing their winter road gritting duties on low rates of pay, no stand-by allowance when on-call and risk their own insurance while working according to the union GMB.
The union, which represents local government workers, is balloting members for strike action over winter gritting.
Members working for Carmarthenshire Council highways department are expected to vote on industrial action.
If members strike there could be a blanket ban on winter gritting duties, which GMB warns would mean roads across south west Wales could grind to a halt in the new year.
The vote follows an official dispute between GMB, Unison and Unite unions and the council over the issue of rates of pay and new contracts for staff under-taking winter gritting duties.
The council made an offer to staff that was rejected unanimously by members of GMB, the largest union and by the other two unions, with a mandate to ballot for action if negotiations do not progress.
GMB claims that Carmarthenshire currently has some of the worst terms and conditions for staff undertaking gritting duties, with no stand-by allowance or retainer, and staff risking their own insurance when working.
Peter Hill, GMB regional organiser, said: “Our members are angry and have given a clear signal that they are unhappy with the current arrangements.
“Staff are being forced to undertake winter gritting on low rates of pay, no stand-by allowance when on-call and to cap it off risking their own insurance while working.
“Unless Carmarthenshire Council puts forward a fairer deal then it is likely GMB members will vote for action – leading to travel chaos in the new year.”
Stephen Pilliner, head of highways and transport for Carmarthenshire Council said: “We are in discussions with trade unions regarding winter maintenance.
“Those discussions are ongoing.”