"Refuse workers strike over pay disparity row", 2 September 2021

Refuse workers based in Oldbury, UK have taken part in industrial action over pay disparity, bullying claims, and health and safety disputes.

More than 80 binmen were striking at Sandwell Council’s tip in Shidas Lane earlier this week...against Serco, which manages public service contracts. Further strikes will take place on 7, 14 and 21 September, with 60,000 households set to be affected across these days.

According to the GMB union, various different contracts have been used by Serco to employ staff, who state they are on different pay packages. It also argues there is a culture of “bullying and harassment”...

Gill Ogilevie, senior organiser for GMB Sandwell branch, commented there were “meaningful talks” between both parties until the “last minute”, where communications broke down...

Iain Stockdale-Smith, senior contract manager for Serco, added that the business has had many “positive” meetings with the union over the last few months and “significant” progress has been made on the issues raised.”

“During official industrial action, the law prevents us from bringing in additional staff to replace those on strike, but we want to assure residents we will try to keep any disruption to a minimum and our teams will be working hard behind the scenes to organise the resources we have in the most effective way,” he said.