Bin workers’ strike threat

Bin workers in Bromley, South London, walked out on 4 October over the sacking of four colleagues. Unite members have vowed to ‘take action for as long as it takes’ to get the jobs back.

120 workers at Veolia Environmental Services will be balloted for strike action unless the company re-instates the four.

Four workers were sacked on 3 October for ‘gross misconduct’ for allegedly accepting a tip for removing excess rubbish.

After the walkout a mass meeting agreed to return to work as a goodwill gesture but unanimously agreed to ballot for strike action, vowing that any action would be of a ‘prolonged and sustained nature’.

Onay Kasab, Unite regional officer, said: “Unite is proud to back workers willing to stand in solidarity with wrongly sacked workers.

“The sacked four had more than 100 years of service between them and were described by Veolia as ‘hard working’ – it is a bitter blow for them to be sacked in this way.

“Our members have a very clear message to Veolia bosses: reinstate the four or we will strike for as long as it takes to get the jobs back.

“The ball is in Veolia’s court, it can end this dispute and avoid prolonged disruption to Bromley’s rubbish collections but it needs to get around the table and talk to Unite.”