Calls for calm as Wiltshire bin strike goes on
There have been concerns about the safety of people on picket lines
The industrial action by Wiltshire's refuse collectors is getting more and more heated, with calls for calm from both sides as the row rumbles on.
Workers from Hills Municipal Collections have been walking out since Monday (7th March) in a row over pay.
Picket lines set up by members of the GMB Union, including one at the depot on Salisbury's Churchfields, have been become increasingly tense.
We're told there have been incidents where bin lorries coming out of the site have struck people standing outside this week.
Andy Newman, GMB Branch Secretary for Wiltshire, said:
“I have a very real concern over safety following two incidents on Monday 7 March of bin lorries hitting GMB pickets. Therefore, I have approached Dr Mark McClelland, the Wiltshire Council cabinet lead for waste management, proposing that we make a joint statement calling for calm and safety at the gates of the Hills depots during this dispute.
“One individual, who works for Hills in Salisbury, was literally knocked to the floor by a bin lorry that allegedly sped up as it approached him, and two individuals who were hit by that truck have received treatment in hospital.
“Even at low speed, a waste truck in contact with a pedestrian is a serious threat to safety, and the recent changes to the Highway Code enforce a hierarchy of road users, with pedestrians having the highest priority and heavy lorries, such as bin lorries, having the lowest priority. During one of the incidents, I am advised that the driver was allegedly the member of Hills staff with responsibility for safety enforcement. If true this suggests a worrying, possible disregard for road safety by at least some levels of Hills management.
“There is absolutely no threatening behaviour, or threats of violence from our GMB pickets. Our members in dispute with Hills are hardworking and decent Wiltshire residents, seeking to peacefully promote their industrial dispute in pursuit of a fair wage for what is often a hard and dirty job, and where they often receive abuse from the public. Our members in dispute with Hills worked all through the covid lockdowns, at personal risk, and Wiltshire residents clapped them as key workers, among the heroes of how our county coped with the pandemic.
“We all need to work together to calm this situation down before someone is seriously injured.”
The Union has written to Wiltshire Council, asking them to help defuse the situation.
The authority has 'strongly condemned' the actions of those on the picket lines, saying sites have been 'blockaded'.
They've said the number of union members outside depots has been exceeding the number normally allowed and is 'putting the safety of people at the sites as serious risk'.
Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said:
"We completely respect people's right to strike, but we believe the actions of the GMB union at the picket lines have not been in the best interest of their members and are seriously putting people's safety at risk.
"We fully agree with the GMB when they say that health and safety is of paramount importance but their actions at this time are contributing to putting the safety of both their members and the vehicle crews at risk.
"Vehicles should not be being blocked from leaving our depots and picket lines should be positioned in a safe legal place. The number of pickets should not exceed the number of people allowed for in the accepted guidance.
"The scenes we've seen at our depots have not been acceptable and we hope the GMB union can help ensure that their members stay as safe as possible, and follow lawful picket line guidance in exercising their right to strike.
"These actions are leading to an even more adverse impact on our waste collection services and further disruption for our residents."