Council management have suspended 10 per cent of the workforce – rather than listen to workers’ concerns

Refuse workers in South Tyneside start vote on continuous industrial action today over trade union discrimination (Wednesday).

Since the last period of strike action, the GMB Union workplace representative has been suspended alongside other active union member colleagues.

The workers, who have already undertaken six previous sets of strike dates, continue to be ignored by council management.

The ballot will close June 14. South Tyneside now faces strike action during the general election campaign period.

Mark Wilson, GMB regional organiser, said:

“Refuse workers in South Tyneside are at the end of their tether. This situation should have been sorted nine months ago.

“We are in this situation because council management thought suspending workers was a better idea than listening to their concerns. A blatant case of trade union victimisation.

“Any future disruption is entirely their doing. And is within their power to stop.”

ENDS

Media enquiries: GMB Press Office on 07958 156846 or at [email protected]

Notes to Editors:

[1]  The strike’s ballot paper details as the cause for the vote: The dispute relates to the ongoing bullying and victimisation of an elected GMB Representative and the Councils prevention of allowing him to fulfil his elected duties.