Nick Hart, Birmingham Socialist Party
Over 60 grounds and bin workers in Solihull, members of the GMB union, are taking a week’s strike action against council contractors idverde and Veolia. They pay poverty wages, while lengthening the working day with increased rounds and ending ‘task and finish’.
With some workers at the Moat Lane depot paid as little as £10.60 an hour, Veolia ranks as one of the lowest-paying refuse providers in the country.
Workers on the picket told us: “I used to enjoy this job, but now I’m finishing at half four where it used to be half one.”
“I jog the equivalent of two marathons a week, pulling full bins behind me!”
“In the last three years, Veolia’s profit margins have been 18% – but they say they can only offer us 30p more an hour.”
The workers are prepared to serve notice for more action if a better pay offer isn’t tabled.
