Staff working at five recycling centres in Sheffield will go on strike between Friday 10 October and Monday 13 October following a dispute over pay, facilities, and site management.
Workers employed by the Green Company that are also GMB members (a union that represents staff employed by contractors working for the public sector), went on strike on 1 October and 6 October after talks to secure an agreement on premium pay for weekend and overtime working, on welfare facilities, and on the behaviour of the senior managers on the contract, failed.
The Green Company, owned by the charity Salvaire, is a subcontractor to waste management firm Veolia, which manages Sheffield City Council’s recycling sites.
According to GMB, workers have been unable to secure premium pay, despite ‘substantial sums’ of money being paid by Salvaire to another company, Roughly Translated Ltd, which is owned by Chair of the company board, Martine Laffan-Butler.
As such, GMB members have said they will strike for four days to win a ‘fair share of the money allocated for this vital service’, and secure upgraded facilities and more transparent management.
Peter Davies, GMB Regional Officer, said "GMB members are taking action over premium rates, welfare facilities and bullying. We know the company can afford to provide them but the company will not budge.
"GMB members are striking for a fair share of the money allocated for this vital service. That plus a decent toilet in the winter, somewhere to have a wash and a bit of honesty isn't a lot to ask for."
The five recycling centres affected are located in:
- Beighton Road, Woodhouse, S13 7PS;
- Blackstock Road, Gleadless, S14 1FY;
- Manchester Road, Deepcar, S36 2DT;
- Greaves Lane, High Green, S35 4GR; and
- Longley Avenue West, Shirecliffe, S5 8WA.
GMB secured a living wage for members in the recycling centres from the out-going senior management team effective from April 2014.
Find out more about the Sheffield dispute.
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.