Sheffield faces bin strikes: Update — more strikes upcoming

[SheffieldForum]

Sheffield is set to face a significant disruption in its waste collection services as nearly 100 refuse workers plan to strike from July 29 to August 2. The industrial action, organised by Unite the union, is expected to halt bin collections across the city, causing potential inconveniences for residents.

Union Recognition Conflict

 

The strike arises from a dispute over union recognition. Unite claims that Veolia, the company managing Sheffield’s waste services, has refused to recognise the union for collective bargaining, despite Unite representing about 80% of the workforce at the Lumley Street depot. 

 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham stated: "It is absurd that a union representing 80 per cent of a workforce is blocked from making collective bargaining arrangements by an employer, especially one it has national agreements with up and down the country."

 

Veolia Standpoint

 

Veolia contends that it already has a recognition agreement with the GMB union, which they claim represents the majority of the workforce. A spokesperson for Veolia said: “We are disappointed that Unite the Union have not respected the Trade Union Congress Code of Conduct and request that they engage with the TUC to resolve this inter-union dispute as a matter of urgency.”

Council’s Position

 

Sheffield City Council has expressed concern over the potential strike. Councillor Joe Otten, chair of the waste and street scene committee, said: “We are very keen to offer support where we can so that there is minimum impact on the public. We are encouraging both Unite and GMB unions to talk together to resolve this situation as soon as possible.”

Historical Context

 

This is not the first potential strike; a similar situation in September 2023 was averted last minute. The current dispute, however, focuses on union recognition rather than pay, adding a new layer to the ongoing tensions.

[choogling]

Here we go again back to the seventies ,Pandoras Box has been opened up. 

[woodmally1979]

Instead of skiving sorry striking why dont the members just leave their current union and join GMB. Its not rocket science. All unions are pretty much the same anyway.   It seems like they are just making a mountain out of a molehill. When there is a potential solution.

[redruby]

4 hours ago, choogling said:

Here we go again back to the seventies ,Pandoras Box has been opened up. 

Lord give us strength!!!  I just saw something about this on Sheffield Online and thickos were out in force as usual with comments such as ‘you can tell Labour are back in!’.

Indeed.  Of course there no bin strikes under the Tories.  Or teacher/train drivers/doctors/nurses striking either.  Of course there weren’t, were there 🤔But no, it’s all Labour’s fault after 2 weeks and we are back in the 1970’s.  Let’s forget all about the strikes under the Tories, the cost of living crisis (there was one of those in the 1970’s too).  There had even been talk of electricity blackouts at one point.  Just like the 1970s!!

 

It’s  like if they just keep blaming Labour anyway, it will be fact.  If they just keep repeating it enough times.

[bassett one]

its a annual argument until they agree whoever is in power

[HeHasRisen]

54 minutes ago, redruby said:

It’s  like if they just keep blaming Labour anyway, it will be fact.  If they just keep repeating it enough times

Anyone blamed Thatcher yet? That's the usual thing round these parts I believe. 

[geared]

2 hours ago, redruby said:

Lord give us strength!!!  I just saw something about this on Sheffield Online and thickos were out in force as usual with comments such as ‘you can tell Labour are back in!’.

Indeed.  Of course there no bin strikes under the Tories.  Or teacher/train drivers/doctors/nurses striking either.  Of course there weren’t, were there 🤔But no, it’s all Labour’s fault after 2 weeks and we are back in the 1970’s.  Let’s forget all about the strikes under the Tories, the cost of living crisis (there was one of those in the 1970’s too).  There had even been talk of electricity blackouts at one point.  Just like the 1970s!!

 

It’s  like if they just keep blaming Labour anyway, it will be fact.  If they just keep repeating it enough times.

 

See this is why you need to stay off social media, it's where all the knuckle draggers go to sound off.

 

Leave them be and don't interact, they're all complete morons anyway.

[YorkieontheTyne]

We’ve had a similar situation up here since last year. Not about money, but alleged bullying by management. All so called negotiations seem to have been conducted via the local online press. One side states its case in the online paper, the next day the other side says the opposite and “meaningful negotiations” go out the window.

Striking alternate weeks means no recycling bins emptied so recycling goes in rubbish bin, they overflow and don’t get emptied. The whole area is littered with fly tipped bags of household refuse. The rats, pigeons and seagulls are having a field day.

Fingers crossed but it looks like a cease fire has been signed.
Good luck to you all.

[redruby]

16 minutes ago, geared said:

 

See this is why you need to stay off social media, it's where all the knuckle draggers go to sound off.

 

Leave them be and don't interact, they're all complete morons anyway.

Indeed you are of course right.  But then ‘choogling’ decided to also enlighten us all on this thread  that we have ‘opened a Pandora’s box’ and are ‘going back to the 1970s’ 🙄

[YorkieontheTyne]

30 minutes ago, geared said:

 

See this is why you need to stay off social media, it's where all the knuckle draggers go to sound off.

 

Leave them be and don't interact, they're all complete morons anyway.

Rubbish. Interacting with others on this excellent forum doesn’t make them or me a knuckle dragger or a complete moron.

Have you looked in the mirror recently?