By Wayne Lee-
Bin men from Birmingham will be conducting industrial action over job threats and allegations of a bullying culture.
hey say a bullying culture is pervasive in that industry. Refuse collection staff are due to stage a series of two hour stoppages from 6 a.m on July 3rd, 11th, 19th, 27th, and August 4th.
The action is expected to commence next week Friday, June 30th, then pick up three days later. when members of the Unite union will down tools at 10.45am and stay off for the rest of the day.
Refuse collection staff will then stage a series of two-hour stoppages from 6am on July 3, July 11, July 19, July 27 and August 4.
They object to overtime arrangements in terms of hours and pay, and intend to slow down their service, but not completely shut it down. Binmen are probably one of the most undervalued workers in the country, because they clear all the mess and stench in their worst state. Through this strike they are hoping to get the attention of their bosses , whom they want to change conditions for.
OVERHAUL
The dispute is over a major overhaul of refuse collection in the city which will downgrade jobs and extend the four-day week extended to five slightly shorter days. Binmen believe they will be made to work more hours for less pay. Binmen refused to go on record with their grievances, but expects the strikes to have an effect. Union bosses have blamed the council for the job threats, but sources say the council is reflecting the government’s budget cuts on bin men.
Perharps it reveals the amount bin men are made to be worth, or it is actually what they are worth if they are pushed to the curb like that. Perhaps the local government does not think they do a good enough job for Birmingham, to which their fate is determined if true. 122 jobs are said to be at risk, raising the question as to whether Birmingham don’t need that many binmen because the residents are not that dirty, or it is just a less valued profession nowadays. If the new measures are designed to fill up a budget deficit , then binmen can feel disappointed and cheated, or that they are being told what they are worth, and they must face up to that fact.
EFFECT
The eventual effect of the strike will reveal where Birmingham binmen stand in the scheme of things. It may be a coded instruction for binmen to rack up some certificates, and maybe think of a different direction. Sources from the council say most of those under threat will be assigned new roles following a restructure. The binmen who will be striking don’t believe that, and would prefer to see action now than to trust them to deliver in the future what they see as a broken promise now.