GMB union has announced a week-long strike of members at waste recycling plants in north Nottinghamshire.
Strike action will impact refuse and recycling processing facilities in the county operated by Veolia under contract to Nottinghamshire County Council, says the Union.
Mansfield’s Materials Recycling Facility, Ashfield’s Welsh Croft Close site and Bassetlaw’s Claylands Avenue site will all be impacted by strike action.
These plants process household waste and recycling for over 250,000 homes in north Nottinghamshire.
Mick Coppin, GMB Organiser, said:
“The announcement comes as Veolia management refused to engage in negotiations over a pay rise for staff at the sites.
“Initial action will take place from Monday 25 September for one week with over 50 workers expected to down tools.
“Veolia Nottinghamshire are raking in vast sums of money from local council tax payers.
“In return, they’re expecting local workers to do dangerous, difficult, and smelly work for the minimum wage.
“There’s no other way to put it; Veolia Nottinghamshire are robbing from the poor to give to the rich.
“Our members can no longer afford to heat their homes and pay their bills; they’re being driven to the breadline by a multi-million pound company.
“This is a contractor being left to run amok by Nottinghamshire County Council.
“Cllr Ben Bradley MP and the council’s leadership seem completely distracted. They’re sitting on their hands and leaving residents to face an uncertain future.”
Ashfield District Council Leader Jason Zadrozny said,
“I have today written to County Council bosses asking them about the impact of potential strikes on Ashfield residents.
“Let me clear, Veolia carry out their service on behalf of the taxpayers of Nottinghamshire.
“If even one bin collection is cancelled because of the incompetence of Tory Bosses at Nottinghamshire, we will be furious. Councillor Ben Bradley and his cronies need to get a grip.”
Derek Higton, Interim Corporate Director for Place at Nottinghamshire County Council, said:
“We are aware of strike action by some Veolia staff taking place during the week commencing 25 September, and we are working with Veolia to understand the impact that this may have on the operation of waste transfer facilities, and the domestic waste collection services in some parts of Nottinghamshire that are managed by our district and borough council partners.
“We will provide further updates in the coming days for residents.
“At present, we anticipate that the operation of the county council’s network of household waste and recycling centres will not be affected.”
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