Refuse workers at Havering Council have announced plans to strike later this month.
In a statement on Friday, Unite the Union confirmed that more than 40 refuse collectors will take industrial action from October 26-30 over poor work conditions.
The loaders and drivers work for FCC Waste Management – a company which delivers outsourced services for the London Borough of Havering.
According to Unite, the vote was taken due to management failing to address a series of concerns that had been raised by workers since 2023. Among the problems flagged were excessive workloads, fatigue and hot weather working, vehicle safety and welfare.
The statement explains that workers are regularly required to work overtime to ensure rounds are completed, as well as noting that their hours were not cut short during this summer’s heatwaves, despite other boroughs having reduced the length of working days for refuse and manual workers at this time.
It adds that the team is short-staffed, with the number of rounds and workers not being sufficient to meet demand since more housing has been built in the borough.
Further issues include agency workers not being offered permanent contracts, and wages, as Unite notes that drivers and loaders are being paid less in Havering than in its neighbouring borough, Redbridge.
‘Unite believes the dispute also raises wider questions about the value of outsourcing of publicly funded services, with residents paying for a worsening service while workers responsible for delivering it say they are being pushed to breaking point’, the statement reads.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Bin workers do a difficult and dirty job which is essential for the local community in Havering.
‘They deserve to be treated with respect and FCC can’t keep kicking these serious concerns from its workforce down the road. These must be addressed now and our members there have our full backing during this dispute.’
Response
Cllr Martynas Cekavicius, Havering’s Cabinet Member for Public Realm, said: ‘Havering Council is aware of the ongoing discussions between FCC and Unite regarding a number of issues raised by union members.
‘While these discussions continue, the council strongly urges both FCC and the Union to work constructively towards an amicable resolution as soon as possible, in the interests of employees and to minimise the risk of disruption to local residents and essential services.
‘The council will remain in close contact with FCC as discussions progress and will continue to monitor the situation. We hope that both parties can reach a positive outcome through dialogue and negotiation, avoiding any unnecessary impact on residents.’
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