Shropshire refuse workers balloted over strike action

Rubbish and recycling collections across Shropshire could be hit as unions prepare to ballot workers on strike action in a row over jobs and pay.

The GMB said it would ballot its members at Veolia for industrial action unless threatened cuts in jobs and pay were withdrawn.

The firm manages waste and recycling services in the Shropshire Council area, though household bin collections are run by a different company in Telford.

The union claims Veolia has put its public service contract workers on 90-day notice of its intention to unilaterally make them redundant, dismiss them and re-engage them on lesser terms and conditions.

GMB officer Rehana Azam said: "What Veolia is doing is completely unacceptable and will not be accepted by the many GMB members working on these contracts.

"Veolia management's decision to make their employees bear the brunt of the squeeze on Government funding is just not on.

"GMB members are concerned about the company's unilateral announcement of redundancies and changes in terms of conditions and employment. The threat is that Veolia employees will be dismissed and re-engaged on worse terms and conditions.

"We are seeking meetings with Veolia and if we are not successful I will be seeking authority for a strike ballot to take place to oppose these cuts."

A Veolia spokesman said there would be consultation with trade unions at three pre-arranged meetings, and the company was consolidating its workforce under one company name.

He added: "We have no intention of making municipal employees redundant, dismissing them or re-engaging them on lesser terms and conditions."