Bin workers on Essex border to strike over 'disgraceful' working conditions

Refuse workers are set to leave rubbish bags mounting outside polling stations and homes in the lead-up to July's General Election after a dispute over working conditions. Workers will take strike action in Redbridge for a week from July 1 to July 7.

It means rubbish will be piling up outside buildings across the borough during the period of the General Election. The workers are employed by Redbridge Civic Services Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the council, and yet are subject to far worse conditions than their council-employed colleagues.

Workers are said to be unhappy with a range of workplace issues that the council has failed to address despite pleas from workers. These include consistently starting/finishing late due to vehicles breaking down and not being repaired, and enforcement of an extra hour of work daily despite contracts saying only in 'exceptional circumstances'.

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The Unite union also claims there is pressure to work overtime every weekend which, according to the group, impacts social lives and mental wellbeing. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This is disgraceful behaviour from the council who are treating some of their most vital workers appallingly.

"That the council leader can’t do the decent thing for his workers speaks volumes and Unite won’t stand for it. Redbridge council is guilty of trying to operate a vital frontline service on the cheap and it must immediately get its house in order. Our members have the union’s total support."

A Redbridge Council spokesperson said: "An independent company, Redbridge Civic Services (RCS), manages the waste contract in Redbridge. RCS are currently in the early stages of negotiations with Unite to prevent strike action. The Council is confident that the extensive package of support offered by RCS, which follows generous salary increases in 2022 and 2023, provides fair remuneration and represents a significant improvement in employee conditions.

"The Council is helping to facilitate negotiations in the hope that both parties can reach an agreement to prevent strike action and ensure the local people we all serve are not impacted adversely."