Industry

GMB strike in Sheffield to continue into next week

Members of the workers' union GMB will continue strike action in Sheffield into next week, it has been announced.

GMB members employed by the Green Company, running five recycling centres as a subcontractor to Veolia for Sheffield City Council, first went on strike two weeks ago following a dispute over pay, facilities, and how the contract is managed.

According to GMB, workers have been unable to secure premium pay, despite ‘substantial sums’ of money being paid to another company, Roughly Translated Ltd, which is owned by Chair of the company board, Martine Laffan-Butler.

As such, GMB members have said are striking to win a ‘fair share of the money allocated for this vital service’.

'No one seems to want to answer our questions'

Peter Davies, GMB Regional Officer, said: "There have been substantial sums paid to Martine Laffan-Butler and to another company, Roughly Translated Ltd, owned by Martine Laffan-Butler and her partner.

"If there is enough money around for the chair of the charity, directors, non-executive directors and still loads left over to gift to charities not in Sheffield, then where is the premium rate, toilets and showers? And why on earth are centres ever closed?  

"Questions have been asked as to whether value for money is being achieved on this publicly funded contract. GMB have put questions to the charity that owns Greens, to Councillor Jack Scott and to Veolia. To date no one seems to want to answer these questions."

The workers have now given notice that they will continue strike action into next week in a bid to secure an agreement on premium pay for weekend and overtime working, on welfare facilities and to stop a ‘bullying’ culture.

Davies added: "GMB members are taking strike action over premium rates, welfare facilities and bullying. We know the company can afford to provide these basic conditions but they will not budge.

"Questions have been asked as to whether value for money is being achieved on this publicly funded contract [and] the bullying is growing as is the list of employees sacked or feeling the need to have to leave. Now attention has turned to those who have chosen to make a stand. As with all bullies the senior managers are picking on those who they see as the easiest targets. Unfortunately for them they are our members.”

Strikes will be held this weekend (Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October) and a continuous strike will start on Wednesday, 29 October. This follows a previous nine days of strike action that commenced on 1 October.

The five recycling centres affected are:

  • Beighton Road, Woodhouse, S13 7PS;
  • Blackstock Road, Gleadless, S14 1FY;
  • Manchester Road, Deepcar, S36 2DT;
  • Greaves Lane, High Green, S35 4GR; and
  • Longley Avenue West, Shirecliffe, S5 8WA.

Read more about the strike in Sheffield.

Related Articles