Ellie Ames 04 October 2023

Coventry refuse workers to vote on industrial action

Coventry refuse workers to vote on industrial action image
Image: Dmitry Kalinovsky / Shutterstock.com

The trade union Unite has notified Coventry City Council that it will ballot 55 refuse workers for strike action and action short of a strike.

The union has accused the council of ‘attacking’ the workers’ terms and conditions.

Coventry said it had been unable to agree a position with trade unions to remove ‘task-and-finish’, which allows refuse workers to leave early if they have finished their round.

The local authority said it was ‘absolutely non-negotiable’ that task-and-finish must end.

A council spokesperson said: ‘It is important that we protect the council from any potential future equal pay claims.

‘It is not an attack on crews who empty bins, no matter how the union tries to present it.’

Unite national lead officer Onay Kasab said: ‘What we need is action to ensure decent pay and conditions – what we will not accept is cuts.

‘Coventry council need to learn from its mistakes and quickly negotiate and end this dispute.’

Last year, a long-running dispute between Coventry council and local bin lorry drivers ended with a pay rise for the drivers worth up to 12.9%.

Refuse workers will begin voting on industrial action on 10 October, with the ballot closing two weeks later.

The other unions who were involved in the talks on 'task-and-finish', Unison and GMB, have not proposed ballots for industrial action.

If this article was of interest, then check out our feature Righting the wrongs of equal pay.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Community Support Worker

Essex County Council
£25395.0000 - £32131.0000 per annum
The Role As a Community Support Worker, your role will include undertaking Assessments and Reviews in line with our Statutory duties under the Care England, Essex, Clacton-On-Sea
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Technician - Maintenance

Essex County Council
£31001.0000 - £36471.0000 per annum
Essex Highways is responsible for managing and maintaining one of the largest highway networks in the country
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Repairs Co-Ordinator

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Be the heart of our community - help us keep homes safe, warm and well-maintained.At the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), we believe th England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Museums Operations Manager

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band F, SCP26 - 31 (£36,124 - £40,476) per annum
Sandwell Museums is looking for an experienced and motivated Operations Manager Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Regulation and Compliance Assistant - WMF2056e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£31,067 - £31,586 pro rata
This is an exciting opportunity for you to join the Licensing Team within Westmorland and Furness Council Penrith, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council
Linkedin Banner