South Gloucestershire bin strikes could worsen, warns union
A High Court ruling is set to ban the use of agency workers to fill gaps
The impact of strikes by bin workers in South Gloucestershire looks set to get worse because of a legal ruling by the High Court.
That's according to the Unite union.
Around 150 Suez employees, who collect bins in South Gloucestershire on behalf of South Gloucestershire Council are currently refusing to work in a dispute over pay.
In an attempt to mitigate the impact the company has been employing some agency workers to fill the gap, as was allowed by the government in July last year, but the High Court has ruled that will not be possible from 10 August.
It follows a legal challenge brought by Unite and other unions, organised through the Trade Unions Congress.
"The High Court has today upheld the unions’ judicial review," a statement from Unite reads.
"The 2022 amendment to the regulations has now been quashed due to the Government’s complete failure to consult prior to implementing their proposals, as required by legislation."
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a total vindication for unions and workers.
"The government’s decision to allow employers to recruit agency workers to undermine legal strike action was a cynical move to back their friends in business and weaken workers’ legal rights to withdraw their labour.
“It was entirely counterproductive as, rather than weaken industrial action, it has hardened attitudes and unnecessarily extended strikes.
"The dispute with Suez is a perfect example of that.
"The only way this dispute will be resolved is with an acceptable offer from the company.”
The Suez workers began their action earlier in July after rejecting an eight per cent pay offer from Suez which, with inflation at 11.3 per cent according to the Retail Price Index, they say equates to a real terms pay cut.
Unite regional officer Ken Fish said: “Suez has been put on notice – no more agency workers after 10 August.
"Our members’ resolve remains rock solid and they will strike everyday throughout the summer if necessary.
“The impact of the strikes, which are entirely the fault of the company’s greed, will worsen.
"Suez can afford to table an offer our members can accept and that is what needs to happen.”
Venting their anger online, some residents in South Gloucestershire are calling on the council to find another company to run bin collections.
Others say they support the workers in the attempts to get better pay.
We have contacted both Suez and the council for comment.