03/03/2015

Bin Lorry Drivers To Strike Over Pay Cut

GMB members, employed as bin lorry drivers for Barking & Dagenham Council Environmental Services, have voted to strike over a £1,000 a year pay cut. The ballot produced a 90% turnout.

Keith Williams, GMB Senior Organiser, said: "There is clearly something wrong when Barking & Dagenham council is cutting the pay of front-line service workers and increasing the wage bill with the introduction of new high level posts, and at the same time compromising health & safety.

"There is no doubt at all that residents need a well-functioning refuse/cleansing service but there is a question as to whether residents will benefit from any of these expensive new jobs.

"The council is forcing the bin lorry drivers to defend their existing pay and working conditions against an unproven attack to the point when they have to consider strike action to keep what they already have.

"GMB is calling on the council to reconsider the need for the expensive, invisible new posts and halt the attack on council employees who work on the roads delivering invaluable services to residents."

(CD)

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