Bristol refuse collectors to strike tomorrow
21st May 2009
Over 200 refuse collectors in Bristol city will begin a series
of 24 hour strikes tomorrow (Friday, 22nd May) in a bitter dispute
over pay.
The workers are taking industrial action in an effort to resolve
a long-standing pay claim covering 12 months between November 2007
and November 2008, which was submitted by the union in October
2008.
Unite believes Sita, the company responsible for providing
refuse collection services to Bristol City Council, is using the
recession as an excuse to cut workers' pay by stalling as inflation
falls from last year's five per cent rate.
The union believes Sita can easily meet the workers' demands for
a living wage as it gets an extra 16 per cent above costs for
providing refuse collection services to Bristol city council.
Pam Jennings, Unite regional industrial organiser, said:
“Negotiations with the company have been plagued by constant
delays. These workers have still not received a pay increase for
last year when inflation was considerably higher than it is now.
The company has refused to engage properly with the union leaving
our members no other choice than to take strike action.
“We are ready and willing to return to the negotiating table at
a moment's notice but we believe that it is Sita's intransigence
that has caused this dispute. The council give Sita costs plus 16
per cent - it can easily afford to meet our demands for a fair pay
increase for last year.
“Sita's pay offer is a pay cut and the company has dragged these
negotiations out. It’s time to return to the negotiating table and
reach a fair deal which should have happened months ago.”
A series of 24 hour strikes will begin at 5am tomorrow (Friday)
and continue on Tuesday (26th May). This will be followed by
rolling strikes every Friday and Monday. There will also be a ban
on overtime.
ENDS
For further information please contact Pam Jennings on 07771 818
640 or Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite press office on 020 7420 8914
or 07980 224 761.
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