Unite members employed by Cardiff City Council have voted by a majority of 98 per cent to strike in a dispute over a widespread bullying culture within the city’s Waste Services Department.

Strike dates have yet to be confirmed but the action by the workers is expected to have a significant impact on rubbish collections across the city.

Unite has been raising the concerns of workers for several months but no firm action by the Council has been taken to address the grievances. 

A recent survey of Unite members working within Waste Services found that over 60 per cent of workers have either witnessed workplace bullying or had been bullied themselves.

Unite has also raised a number of other issues with the council which stem from the bullying culture including health and safety failings, misuse of agency labour with some workers on agency contracts for up to 15 years and unfair targeting of Unite representatives.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “Workers at Cardiff Council have delivered an overwhelming majority in favour of strike action. They have had enough of this toxic workplace culture and want change.

“Unite will not tolerate bullying and harassment in any workplace or the targeting of our reps. Our members will receive the full support of Unite during this dispute.”

Unite Regional Officer, Ruth Hydon commented: “The bullying culture within Waste Services has to end and that can only be achieved through firm and decisive action by Cardiff Council.

“The issues within waste services are made worse by high levels of agency workers and the practice of keeping workers on agency contracts for years on end.

“If Cardiff Council does not resolve this dispute then strike action will lead to considerable disruption to the city’s refuse collections. Unite is calling upon the leadership within Cardiff City Council to act before it is too late.”

ENDS 

Notes to editors:

For further information please contact Glyn Conolly on 07974 131771.