Coventry council bin workers set to be 'fired and rehired', say union
The Unite union have called the action "abhorrent."
Last updated 16th Apr 2024
A leading union claims bin workers in Coventry are set to be 'fired and rehired.'
It comes following a long-running dispute over changes to contracts, which would see the removal of 'task and finish.'
The clause in current contracts allows workers to leave work once they have finished their round, even if it's before their shift actually ends.
Unite have described the action as 'totally abhorrent and entirely unnecessary'.
The union claim they have been in longstanding negotiations with the Labour-led authority, with the council putting forward number of proposals to resolve the dispute.
Union leader say they were agreed "only for the council to withdraw its own proposals and press ahead with brutally firing and rehiring its own workers."
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The actions of Coventry council in firing and rehiring its refuse collection workers is abhorrent. This makes Coventry and its Labour councillors the pariahs of the Labour movement.
“Unite never takes a backward step when the jobs, pay and conditions of its members come under attack. Coventry council is now on notice that Unite will use every possible avenue to get this disgusting decision reversed.”
Unite national lead officer Onay Kasab said: “Coventry council’s actions are reprehensible, Unite has in good faith been involved in extensive negotiations with the council and has accepted several of the council’s proposals only for them to be then taken off the table. It is now clear that Coventry was never committed to securing a just settlement for its workers."
A spokesperson for Coventry City Council said: "Our waste operatives do a fantastic job and are vital to keeping the city clean. At the same time, the Council also has a duty to be as efficient as possible for residents.
“The City Council is looking to modernise the service, and as part of this, it considers that change is best delivered by having a directly employed workforce, with terms and conditions providing standardised and predictable working hours.
“This will allow us to keep the service in-house providing a better service to residents while ensuring a fair days pay for a fair days work and also ensures staff retain the benefits of working for the council.
“We will of course continue to work with the unions to ensure a fair solution that benefits taxpayers while offering a decent package to staff.
“Despite allegations to the contrary, the Council has not withdrawn any offer it has made as part of ongoing negotiations with trade unions.
“The facts are that Unite had put forward a proposal, but they were unable to achieve a collective position on it with other unions meaning it was not possible to progress. At no point did the Council put any proposal on the table which it later withdrew.”