The union outlined that this would see workers in the area “down tools for Christmas”.
In a statement, the union said that members of the GMB union employed by Urbaser at their depots in Letchworth and Buntingford have been “unsuccessful in their attempts to negotiate company sick pay and a fair wage hike”.
The strike could mean the 70 GMB members picketing Urbaser workplaces in Letchworth and Buntingford until the strike is resolved.
‘Outrageous’
Michael Dooley, representing the GMB, said: “Our members who voted, are 90% in favour of strike action this could mean household rubbish piling up and street waste left upswept by our members from the end of the month right through to January or longer.
“We have taken this course because we do not think it is reasonable for workers who graft in all weathers, in filth and grim to go without company sick pay if they fall ill, and we have members working for Urbaser on minimum wage who deserve better. We cannot see an alternative to Urbasers intransigent stance. Their position is not a penny of company sick pay will be paid, which is outrageous in our country in this day and age”.
Mr Dooley added: “Unless Urbaser start to work with the union, disputes like these are likely to keep happening, we prefer to work with a reasonable employer and not to have continual strikes”
Strike action
The strike is due to take place at the end of November with approximately 70 GMB members from Urbaser facilities in Letchworth and Buntingford poised to take industrial action until an agreement is reached.
According to a recent Freedom of Information request, it has come to light that Urbaser has disbursed substantial sums, amounting to tens of thousands of pounds, as performance-related costs to East and North Herts councils for two consecutive years, spanning from 2021 to 2022, GMB said.
Urbaser outlined that 30% of the current workforce are members of the Trade Union (TU). Out of these, 65% participated in the voting. The company went on to clarify that it equated to approximately 25% of the entire workforce showing support for industrial action.
‘Unrealistic’
Tim Guile, Regional Operations Manager at Urbaser said: “We have been officially notified by the GMB Union of an impending strike at our Letchworth and Buntingford depots due to a pay dispute. At this time, there are no confirmed dates.
We wish to clarify that the demands put forward by the Union greatly exceed our current proposal, which is both comparable with pay rates within the local authority and is consistent with the National Joint Council (NJC) settlement. Given the NJC settlement was agreed upon by GMB members in a ballot that concluded in October, we view the demands as being wholly unjustified.
Whilst we are not able to meet the unrealistic aspirations of the Trade Union, we do hope to reengage in constructive discussions in the near future. In the meantime, we would like to reassure residents that we are working closely with the Local Authority and taking proactive measures to minimise any disruption to front line services in the event of a strike.”
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