Sandwell refuse workers strike action enters third week

GMB Union is urging for action from public service provider Serco, as strike action in Sandwell enters its third week.

Around 125,000 Sandwell households have been impacted by refuse workers’ industrial action, as they look for a better pay deal.

The Union argues that Serco imposed a real terms pay cut on workers across street cleansing, waste site, waste collections, administration and the transfer station. 
 
But Serco believes its pay offer of 7.5% is “fair and reasonable” and are engaging with ACAS to facilitate conciliation talks in an effort to end the dispute. In addition, Serco argues that the pay rise GMB is seeking is above inflation and “unrealistic, unaffordable and unachievable”.

Justine Jones, GMB Organiser, said: “Serco’s greed has caused this strike, it’s that simple. As we enter strike week three, residents and businesses are seeing Serco allow waste to pile high because they can’t get their house in order on pay.
 
“Taking strike action is always a last resort, but all our members are asking for is a pay packet that lets them raise a family and pay the bills.
 
“In reality Serco are proposing a real terms pay cut in the midst of the worst cost of living crisis in a generation, all whilst posting eye watering profits as a company. It’s unrealistic to expect working people to accept that.
 
“The support from local Sandwell residents during this strike has been overwhelming. They know their local refuse workers aren’t the ones to blame for this disruption. It’s time for Serco to get real on pay and get around the table for negotiations.”

Tony Marston Senior Contract Manager said, “GMB is seeking an above inflation pay rise for their members which is unrealistic, unaffordable and unachievable.

“As part of our offer, we are asking our employees to support us to improve the service we deliver to our residents, such as reaffirming existing agreements to work bank holidays except for Christmas, with time off in lieu and an enhanced payment and rebalancing our collection rounds, which will in turn even out the workload for the crews.

“We would like to apologise to residents for the inconvenience resulting from the ongoing strike action and thank them for their patience. We would also like to thank our employees who have been working additional hours, including weekends to minimise the disruption to residents as much as possible”.

A spokesperson for Sandwell Council, said: “The services Serco provides are extremely important for our residents. As a council, we are working hard to ensure that any disruption is kept to an absolute minimum and we urge Serco to continue to work with its employees and the trade unions to find a resolution to the dispute.

“We hope talks can continue and that a resolution can be found as soon as possible. We will ensure residents are kept up-to-date on the proposed strike schedule and on changes or delays to waste and recycling services via the council website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and our email updates service.”