BCP Council hit by GMB union strike ballot

Council workers being balloted over non-disclosure of information relating to job re-evaluation

Members of GMB, the union for BCP Council, are now being balloted as part of a long-running dispute, centred around the council’s job re-evaluation and regrading process.

The workers are based within the council’s waste, recycling and street services and are based at the Southcote Road and Hatchpond Depots.

The council is aiming to harmonise pay across the council, after the coming together of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Borough Councils on 1 April 2019.

Despite several meetings with GMB union since members first rejected the council proposal in mid-March, council staff are still not being allowed to see data informing them of how changes will affect them personally.

The formal ballot, scrutinised by Civica, is now open and will close on Wednesday 29 May, meaning any strike action could take place as early as mid-June.

Gary Palmer, GMB Regional Organiser said:

“Our members have already rejected two formal offers from BCP Council, because they strongly feel that they can’t vote on an offer when they don’t know exactly how it affects them.

“This ballot comes as a result of the council’s continued refusal to share this important information with their staff.

“Any strike action and the interruption to kerbside bin collections that would come with it, is directly attributable to the council’s failure to address their staff’s concerns.”

Nick Day, GMB Senior Organiser said:

“We have been clear with council representatives throughout this dispute: our members cannot agree any changes, or consider an appeal, without knowing how it is going to affect them.

“GMB members cannot simply accept that their employer has their best interests at heart.

“It is obviously not too late to resolve this dispute before any strike action has taken place – meet with us and discuss plans to divulge this important information to their employees.”