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From The Socialist newspaper, 26 October 2016
Striking Sheffield bin workers picket scabs
Sheffield bin strikers protesting against use of scab labour, 22.10.16, photo by Alistair Tice (Click to enlarge)
Alistair Tice, Sheffield Socialist Party
About 50 bin workers and supporters protested on 22 October against management's use of scab drivers and loaders to undermine the GMB union's industrial action.
Sheffield bin workers, employed by Veolia the giant multinational which runs the city's waste management services on a 30 year contract, put in for a 5% pay rise.
When Veolia only offered 3% over two years GMB members voted for strike action and an overtime ban. Two one-day strikes have been held.
Veolia has advertised at regional depots offering overtime and overnight hotel stay for scabs to clear the backlog of bins.
So the GMB called a protest at the Lumley Street depot at 6am on 22 October but the scabs had sneaked out early, even though they cannot start tipping bins till 7am. Pickets waited at Bernard Road depot for them to return but again management must have diverted them.
As well as the Socialist Party, it was good to see Momentum supporters on the protest and a few Labour councillors arrived later. Motions are being put at Labour meetings to support the strikers.
The Socialist Party is petitioning the next Labour council meeting calling for Veolia to be stripped of the contract and the service taken back in-house, which is all the workers want.
Two upcoming half-day strikes this week will cause further disruption and be more difficult for management to undermine with agency and scab workers.
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In The Socialist 26 October 2016:
Socialist Party NHS campaign
Protest and strike to save our NHS
Health campaigners announce national NHS demo
Hundreds march and rally to defend Tyneside hospital
Socialist Party news and analysis
'Jungle' camp destruction is no solution
Welsh budget: Labour government makes Tory cuts
Academies mired in debt and corruption
Homeless sleeping rough: councils must build housing
Four in five self-employed workers living in poverty
Corbyn & Labour
Wallasey whitewash must be condemned
Battle in Leeds council over care home closure
Jarrow March for Jobs 2011
Jarrow March: an inspiring show of solidarity between workers and youth
Socialist Party workplace news
Teaching assistant pledges ongoing fight against pay cuts
A day in the life of a midwife
Striking Sheffield bin workers picket scabs
Crossrail sparks get organised
Unison higher education seminar points no way forward over pay
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Housing campaigners meet to plan resistance to the Housing Act
Why I joined the Socialist Party: "I really can't wait for Socialism 2016"
International socialist news and analysis
US presidential election: The disastrous failure of 'lesser evilism'
Ireland: Jobstown protester found guilty
Socialist Party comments and reviews
Book review: Fighting racism in football
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