96% refuse members in Sandwell vote to back industrial action
GMB Union, one of Britain’s largest refuse and household waste collection unions, has today warned that a dispute with Serco Sandwell could escalate, as 96% of members vote to back industrial action.
The warning has come as GMB members in Sandwell rejected a real terms pay cut from the provider of household waste collection services in the Sandwell area, Serco.
Justine Jones, GMB lead for refuse members in Sandwell, said:
“There is the very real risk of waste piling up in streets at the height of the Commonwealth games if this issue is not resolved.
Our members want nothing more than to get on with their job, keeping local communities safe and clean, exactly as they did throughout the pandemic.
The derisory pay offer from Serco, a company that has generated millions during the pandemic, flies in the face of that. Serco top brass are essentially asking our members, Sandwell’s hard working refuse workers, to do the same job for less.
The Commonwealth Games are an opportunity to showcase the best of our area, but Serco must do their bit and bring an offer to the table that allows Sandwell’s refuse workers to keep pace with the cost of living crisis”.
Posted: 25th June 2022