Bromley bin workers set to strike

THE GIANT union Unite last week announced that bin workers in Bromley will stage a series of strikes in the run up to Christmas and over the New Year.

 The union’s repeated calls to bosses at Veolia Environmental Services to reinstate four unjustly sacked workers for alleged gross misconduct have fallen on deaf ears, leaving Unite with no option but to issue strike dates.

 Strike action will begin on Friday 14^th December 2012 and run as follows:

  Friday 14^th December 2012 – 24-hour stoppage beginning at 00:01;

  Thursday 27^th December 2012 – 48-hour stoppage beginning at 00:01

  Monday 31^st December 2012 – 24-hour stoppage beginning at 00:01

 More than 80 per cent of refuse workers working out of the Churchfields refuse and recycling centre in Bromley, south London voted in favour of strike action in a recent ballot.

 The dispute was sparked by the sacking of four long-serving Bromley bin workers, with over 100 years of experience between them, for allegedly accepting a cash payment to remove excess rubbish. 

 That allegation has since proved to be false after an internal appeals process uncovered that the workers refused to accept any money.

 Onay Kasab, Unite regional officer, said “Despite our best efforts to get Veolia to see sense and re-instate the four workers, it has left us with no option but to take strike action.”