Refuse workers in the London Borough of Redbridge are to escalate their industrial dispute with a ban on overtime working, trade union Unite has announced.
The staff, employed by council-owned firm Redbridge Civic Services (RCS), had already announced a week-long strike from 1 July.
According to Unite, RCS refuse workers are subject to ‘terrible’ working conditions with no vehicle maintenance, ‘aggressive’ pressure to work overtime on weekends, and worse sick pay than colleagues at Redbridge Council.
A de facto ban on overtime working will run from 8 July until the end of the month.
Unite said additional hours after daily shifts had become standard practice, despite officially only being required in ‘exceptional circumstances’.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Redbridge is a Labour council, yet it is treating its workers with contempt and Unite will not stand for it.
‘Our members have the unending support of their union as they take to the picket line and stand firm in working their proper hours.’
Redbridge Council said Unite had not formally responded to the latest offer from RCS.
The council's corporate director of communities, Steve Moore, said: ‘Throughout discussions to prevent strike action, RCS has done everything possible to meet conditions requested by the union.
‘We had hoped both sides would continue negotiations in good faith until an agreement was reached.’
