Unite members working at a refuse centre in Sheffield have voted to continue industrial action as part of a long-running dispute with Veolia over union recognition.
Unite members at the Lumley Street depot in Sheffield, employed by outsourcing company Veolia, have been on continuous strike since August.
The workers on strike want Veolia to recognise Unite as their union for collective bargaining.
Veolia says that because of its existing recognition agreement with the GMB union, it is unable to enter into an agreement with Unite unless by arrangement with GMB.
Without an agreement, Unite cannot negotiate on behalf of the workforce over issues including pay, conditions, and safety.
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.
In December, Unite promised more bin strikes in Sheffield after they said Veolia pulled out of a recognition agreement at the last minute.
Veolia has been in the crossfire of an inter-union dispute over recognition at our Sheffield site.
In a statement given to Circular Online, a Veolia spokesperson said: “Veolia has been in the crossfire of an inter-union dispute over recognition at our Sheffield site.
“The GMB union has held sole recognition at the site for 20 years and any changes to this agreement must be approved by the GMB – Unite is well aware of this requirement.
“We have been in constant dialogue with Unite and the GMB as well as seeking TUC intervention. GMB has made an offer and we urge Unite to find a way forward.”
The spokesperson continued that Veolia would not be “bullied” by Unite into breaking an existing agreement with another union.
Unite has accused Veolia of engaging in a “dishonest social media campaign” over the dispute.
The union said an agreement was reached on both sides last year and Veolia stated it had no problem with recognition for Unite at the depot.
Legal requirements mean Unite members have to be re-balloted over their decision to take strike action.
Unite said it is also targeting Veolia’s operations in France, as well as protested at their attendance at a conference in Arizona.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham commented: “Despite Veolia’s game playing and its refusal to do what is fair and right.
“This ballot sends a message loud and clear to Veolia – recognise our union now because Unite is backing our members however long this fight lasts.”
