Unite the Union has promised more bin strikes in Sheffield after they say Veolia pulled out of a recognition agreement at the last minute.
A Veolia spokesperson said it delayed signing the recognition agreement after the GMB union raised a counter-dispute with both the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Veolia.
Unite members have been in dispute with Veolia for months with refuse workers at the Lumley Street Depot in Sheffield going out on indefinite strike action in August.
The dispute is over union recognition as Veolia says, because of its existing recognition agreement with GMB, it is unable to enter into an agreement with Unite unless by arrangement with GMB.
Without an agreement in place, Unite cannot negotiate on behalf of the workforce over issues including pay, conditions, and safety.
A Veolia spokesperson said: “We need both unions to work together and have appealed to the TUC to intervene on a number of occasions. It is time for this to end.
“Veolia’s focus remains on supporting our team locally and keeping services and collections running for the residents of Sheffield who we are proud to serve.”
We need both unions to work together and have appealed to the TUC to intervene on a number of occasions.
GMB Union confirmed they have registered a dispute saying they are concerned there is a “deliberate attempt” to undermine their recognition agreement with Veolia.
GMB North East Yorkshire and Humber Regional Secretary Andy Belfield said: “I fear that this attempt to impose the will of the handful onto a large unionised workforce is nothing more than an external and unprincipled poaching exercise.
“If it is successful it will be bad news for the workforce and the people of Sheffield. We will do whatever we can to oppose it.”
Before the latest strike action being called, Unite said a deal had been reached following negotiations.
The agreement was agreed by Unite members after a vote on the picket line, which Unite says was relayed to Veolia.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham commented: “In all my years in the union movement I have never known a deal to be this close only for the employer to back out and betray the workforce at the last minute.
“Veolia had offered recognition, and we had accepted. To go back on their word now is an act of utter cowardice. Veolia’s management should be ashamed of themselves.”
