After a week-long strike, bin workers in Unite the Union have forced their employer, outsourcer FCC, to the negotiating table, despite management trying to break the strike.
On the picket line, workers talked about their anger about their working conditions and safety concerns, which are on top of the massive disparity of their pay compared to bin workers in neighbouring boroughs.
The workers ended the week by holding a rally outside the Havering Council offices in Romford, now run by Reform. They were joined by supporters, including from Barking, Dagenham and Havering and Waltham Forest trades councils, as well as the National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) and members of the Socialist Party. They were all welcomed by the striking workers and their Unite reps.
Unite Regional Officer Danny Hoggan reported to the rally that, despite FCC management looking to bring in scab drivers from outside Havering, paying for their travel and accommodation, the strike action had forced the company to ask for talks.
Rob Williams, from the NSSN and branch chair of Unite LE1228 spoke to bring solidarity, including a £50 donation, from his branch which includes Waltham Forest Council bin workers who also work for FCC.
The Reform council was showing its true anti-worker credentials.
Rob said: “Councils of all parties are outsourcing services and making workers pay the price. We demand that the bin contract is brought back in-house so that bin workers are put on nationally agreed pay, pensions and terms & conditions, to do away with the scandal of multi-tiered pay rates.”
Danny ended the strike rally by sending a warning to FCC that more strikes will be called if an acceptable deal can’t be reached.
