Bin strikes could be closer for Coventry
Talks between the city council and Unite broke down this week
Coventry council has hit out at the “bitterly disappointing” prospect of more bin driver strikes, as a union leader says the action is “inevitable.”
Talks between the city council and Unite broke down this week and both sides appear to be blaming the other for the collapse.
A council spokesperson has denied allegations from Unite that the authority had issued threats or refused to negotiate in yesterday’s discussions.
They claimed the union left the meeting “not willing to talk further,” and said the council believes the only way through is by negotiation.
The council spokesperson said: “It is totally untrue that we are refusing to negotiate and we are not issuing threats.
“What is true is that out of over 70 drivers, only were 42 were Unite members, of which only 19 voted for strike action.”
The council also defended its plans to scrap the ‘task and finish’ way of working which led to a number of Unite workers voting for strike action.
This condition allows workers to leave when their collection rounds are finished, rather than at the end of the day.
But Coventry city council has said another union has challenged this way of working as unfair and claims it will be hit with more equal pay claims if the practice continues.
The spokesperson added: “If we do not end task and finish then we will have a yearly bill which can only lead to job cuts and cuts in services.
“This would be terrible news for employees and for Coventry residents.
“We believe the way through this is by negotiation so it is bitterly disappointing that the union appears to be taking its members towards strike action once again.
“They left yesterday’s meeting not willing to talk further.
“If we do get to the point of strike action we know this will cause disruption for our residents and want to reassure everyone that we will do all we can to minimise the disruption this will cause as well as continuing to work with all unions to resolve these issues.”
But in a statement on its website yesterday, Unite claimed threats of significant cuts to bin worker terms and conditions had been made by the council during the talks, which then broke down.
They claimed more than 40 bin drivers had voted for strike action in response to council plans to end task and finish, which it linked to equal pay claims.
Union leaders also said the union went into discussions “with an open mind” and claimed the council is “refusing to negotiate in any meaningful way.”
General secretary Sharon Graham said: “Coventry council’s race to the bottom agenda for its workers has been laid bare.
“The council agenda is not about genuine equality, it is instead about equalising the misery.”
She added: “Unless the council climbs down from these atrocious plans, strike action is inevitable.”
Unite national lead officer Onay Kasab said after the talks broke down: “Unite went into talks today with an open mind and was prepared to negotiate.
“Unfortunately, rather than talk, the council issued ultimatums and threats and refused to negotiate in any meaningful way.
“It is clearly intent on disregarding Labour principles and forcing wages and T&Cs downwards for both the refuse workers and its other staff.
“Negotiations have collapsed and Unite will be announcing strike action in due course.”