Bin strike is postponed after ‘constructive talks’
CARDIFF’S bin strike was postponed at the eleventh hour after apparent “constructive talks” between the council and a trade union.
The city’s binmen and women had been set to go on strike from yesterday as part of a dispute into alleged “widespread bullying” within the authority’s waste services.
Following an industrial action ballot, Unite members voted by a majority of 98% to take industrial action.
Unite members employed by Cardiff Council would have started a sixweek continuous strike to “cause widespread disruption to the city’s refuse and recycling collections”.
But the industrial action has now been suspended for four weeks.
There are now hopes that outstanding issues can be resolved so the planned disruption does not happen.
A statement from Unite read: “Following constructive talks between Unite and Cardiff City Council the planned strike action due to commence on Friday, April 22, has been suspended.
“The industrial action has been suspended for four weeks to allow time and space for both sides to resolve the outstanding issues.”
A spokesman for Cardiff Council said: “Following positive discussions with Unite the Union, the council has been notified that the proposed strike that was due to start tomorrow has been suspended for four weeks.
“During this time, further discussions will take place between both parties aimed at resolving this matter.”
Councillor for Pentwyn and Llanedeyrn, Joe Carter tweeted this evening: “Cardiff Council and Unite have come to a compromise, so the waste management staff won’t be striking tomorrow.
“Rubbish collections will take place in Pentwyn and Llanedeyrn as normal.
“We hope that a long-term agreement can be found and this culture of bullying stops.”
In February, trade union members held a protest outside Cardiff ’s County Hall over allegations of bullying and the treatment of staff in the city’s refuse collection department.
A spokesperson for Cardiff Council said: “In recent weeks, the council has been engaging in constructive discussions with senior officials of Unite Cymru and we will continue to work with them to resolve this dispute with the support of the other trade unions representing the council’s workforce.
“We take all allegations of bullying seriously and will always work with trade unions when they bring forward specific allegations to investigate.
“We have robust and long-standing processes in place that have been developed in partnership with our unions - to do just that.
“All the unions know we take a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and the health and safety of our staff is a priority for us.”