Socialist Party member
After over 18 months of action, the strike of Unite members for union recognition at Sheffield Veolia has finally been settled, with an agreement that was put to and agreed by the strikers. This is a testament to the sheer determination of this group of bin workers who took action on this principle.
The Unite union always made clear that it was willing and prepared to work with other unions. Many public sector workplaces are multi-union.
But the behaviour of the GMB union leadership in preventing recognition of Unite has been disgraceful. It should not be forgotten that not only did GMB full-time officials take to social media to disparage the strike campaign in appalling language, they also actively attempted to break the strike by assisting the company to get vehicles through picket lines. This was not disguised – they did so wearing a GMB hi-viz!!
This is in sharp contrast to workers on site, including GMB members, who always maintained good relations with the strikers.
This was yet another campaign, like Birmingham bins, where the employers sought and gained an injunction to prevent union protest. Veolia is the contractor for Labour-controlled Sheffield City Council – yet another Labour council that has no problem using the law to attack workers. This should not come as a shock – it is, after all, the same party that continues to refuse to remove the turnout thresholds all the anti-trade union laws leftover from Tory governments.
The upcoming local elections no doubt focused the minds of the council, which made clear that they did not want another Birmingham.
There are lessons workers will want to discuss from the dispute, on tactics and demands – but this cannot take away from the fact that action by this determined group of workers moved the employer to make a proposal, which led to agreement from the members, and which represents a win to be built on.
