Redbridge council bin workers to strike over working conditions

Workers will stop collecting rubbish for a week from Monday July 1 until Sunday July 7.

The union has accused Redbridge Council of “treating some of their most vital workers appallingly.”

“Workers are unhappy with a range of workplace issues that the council has failed to address despite pleas from workers,” a spokesperson for the council said.

These included starting and finishing late due to vehicles breaking down and not being repaired, pressure to work overtime every weekend, and longer working hours.

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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.”

The union said the workload and pressure have resulted in more staff sickness meaning a knock-on effect on the remaining fit staff.

Regional officer Nick West said: “Local politicians need to recognise the anger of our members and can look forward to seeing rubbish piled up outside polling stations if they don't take immediate action to fix this situation. 

“Our members collect the borough's waste in all weathers. They are regularly understaffed and under-resourced making their work far more difficult than it needs to be. They aren’t going to stand for this any longer."

A Redbridge Council spokesperson said: “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."