Binmen sacked after ‘spy’ cameras installed on their trucks

A GROUP of binmen have complained they have been sacked after they were caught cheating on their overtime, thanks to CCTV cameras installed on their lorries.

Seven workers from Caerphilly, South Wales, claim to have been fired after they followed manager instructions to leave work once they completed their tasks.

Another 17 workers remain under investigation, the union has said. Caerphilly Council has said the dispute centres on workers claiming for more hours than they worked, or spending “unproductive time” at drop-off points.

The CCTV cameras were originally installed on the lorries for safety reasons, to help protect them against parking incidents or criminal damage.

The council said it was agreed with workers and unions at the time that they could also be used to help with investigations. But Unison claim managers used cameras to spy on staff going about their daily work.

A Unison spokesman said: “The council have taken an overzealous approach by sacking staff. We still think there is a chance to stop this heavyhanded approach. We are still hopeful to resolve this but if that doesn’t happen we will move to ballot for industrial action.”

One worker said: “We don’t think it is fair for us to lose our jobs over this. To save on overtime, we were told loaders could go home when the route is done, and the driver would go on to the tip on their own.

“The council have now been prosecuting the loaders for this, and punishing the drivers.”

A spokesman for Caerphilly Council said: “We can confirm that a number of staff ... are currently under investigation. Any disciplinary action taken by the council against an employee is only done if there are appropriate grounds to undertake such an investigation.”