Kevin Parslow, Secretary, Waltham Forest Trades Council
Unite members working in refuse and recycling for Redbridge Civic Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of the council, have won their dispute for better conditions.
They took strike action during general election week, including a rally at which Waltham Forest Trades Council and Socialist Party members spoke (see ‘Redbridge bin workers demand an end to exploitative conditions’).
A second strike was threatened for a fortnight from 22 August, but the workers received a new offer which they accepted. They have won, according to Unite:
- An increase in sick pay from ten days to three months, and protected income insurance up to 24 months
- Reduced working week
- Paid overtime
- A review of vehicles and maintenance to reduce stoppages
