More than 2 out of 3 bin men ready to strike over pay deal

Published on Saturday 8 August 2009 11:08

MORE than two thirds of city bin men want a full strike in protest about the impact the council's pay reform will have on them.

Trade union Unite has confirmed that 68 per cent of members voted for strike action amid fears that they could lose thousands of pounds.

And 93.5 per cent of members said in answer to a separate question that they would be prepared to take part in action short of a strike.

However, the result of the ballot does not necessarily mean that a strike will be launched as Unite is still carrying out consultations into the results of its meetings earlier this week with council officials and is yet to decide on what will happen next.

Leaders are recommending that members accept the deal, which would see refuse collectors become neighbourhood environment workers – with additional responsibilities.

The figures from the ballot of services for communities manual workers is further evidence of the extent of unrest among workers.

Of the 405 valid papers returned, 275 voted in favour of strike action. A separate question about industrial action short of a strike was backed by 387 of the 414 valid responses.

In a letter to council chief executive Tom Aitchison, Unite regional industrial organiser Sandy Smart said he will write "in due course in terms of the industrial action".

However, the council said it has still not been told the result of the union's meetings with members following Monday's talks, which appeared at the time to have resulted in a breakthrough that would have seen normal work resume.

It is understood that the union now has a month to decide its next step. After then, it would have to hold another ballot if it still wanted to hold a strike.

Councillor Steve Cardownie, the deputy leader of the city council, said: "We are still waiting to see the trade union's response and they will notify (council] management accordingly.

"We have always been prepared for the possibility of a result that does not go our way and that remains the case. But we have resolved to see this through to the end. To not do so would be too horrific for us because of the effect that it would have on the city and on jobs."

Under the terms of the deal, basic pay would change from 12,234 to 15,986, although staff would not receive the existing bonus of up to 6,729 for full attendance.

Instead, they would be eligible for a "shift payment" bonus of up to 4,573.

Cllr Andrew Burns, leader of the Labour group on the city council, said: "This ballot result does not necessarily mean that there will be automatic strike action but it does underline that it is completely essential that the council communicates properly to try to avoid a strike.

"This is a clear rejection of the situation as it was and I hope that the council administration takes note of this."