GMB welcomes agreement with Reigate and Banstead council to avert strike action on waste contract
GMB have welcomes an agreement with Reigate and Banstead Council to avert industrial action on waste and recycling contract.We are happy to see that Reigate and Banstead finally saw some sense and averted the completely unnecessary threat of strike action brought on by themselves says GMB Southern
GMB, the union for refuse and recycling workers, welcomes an agreement with Reigate and Banstead Borough Council to avert industrial action.
After 18 months of continual battles to protect GMB members’ contracts of employment and earnings, Reigate and Banstead finally caved in and reverted back to the original staff contracts of employment. As part of the agreement the senior manager issued a full written apology to GMB members for ‘all the confusion or upset caused.’
Last week, GMB members voted 97.7% in favour of industrial action as Reigate and Banstead Council enforced a new contract of employment and breached an ACAS Binding Arbitration Agreement. [See notes to editors for a copy of previous GMB press release]
Paul Grafton, GMB organiser said:
“It has taken some considerable time and extensive negotiations to ensure our members best interests are looked after. GMB representatives met with the Council on Wednesday and thrashed out a deal after six hours. GMB members were balloted this morning on the offer and are very happy to have the correct terms and conditions back in place.
“On top of the contract of employment retraction senior management apologised in writing for ‘all the confusion or upset caused to you.’
“GMB are happy to see that Reigate and Banstead finally saw some sense and averted the completely unnecessary threat of strike action brought on by themselves.”
ENDS
Contact: Paul Grafton 020 8397 8881 or 07714239092 or email paul.grafton@gmb.org.uk
Notes to editors:
1) GMB Press release 26 June 2017
GMB MEMBERS EMPLOYED BY REIGATE AND BANSTEAD BOROUGH COUNCIL WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES VOTED 97.7% FOR STRIKE ACTION
We have sought a mandate from our members for action as the Council wilfully breached an ACAS Binding Arbitration agreement says GMB Southern
GMB, the union for refuse and recycling workers, has announced that members working as drivers and loaders in the refuse and recycling service in Reigate and Banstead Borough Council have voted to take strike action.
This dispute has come about because the Council has breached a binding agreement between GMB, ACAS and the Council by subsequently varying staff contracts of employment despite months of talks to find middle ground. GMB members had agreed to a 2 year pay and progression freeze with ACAS, but this agreement was fundamentally breached by the Council.
GMB members voted overwhelmingly for strike action in an official ballot that concluded on 23 June 2017, the council have been notified of the result. GMB have asked the council on numerous occasions to abide by the ACAS agreement without success.
Paul Grafton, GMB Official said,
“GMB have sought a mandate from its members for action as the Council wilfully breached an ACAS Binding Arbitration agreement. GMB have been in talks for over a year on services and pay and agreed to a rather unpalatable 2 year pay freeze suggested by ACAS for its members.
“GMB members confirmed they would honour the agreement as did the Council and in writing. The level of contempt the Council has showed its workforce is appalling and shameful when they breached the agreement and implemented new terms and conditions of employment.
“The Council has called a last minute meeting but we are not expecting them to move on their position. GMB intends to call out its members on a series of 2, 3 and 4 day walkouts over the next few months. I’m sure the residents in Reigate and Banstead will be fully supportive of our members once they realise what the Council have done.”
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