Bin strike latest: ‘joint recognition’ talks under way while chief exec accused of going on holiday

A number of refuse workers continue to strike across Adur and Worthing and talks were scheduled for today (Wednesday) in an attempt to overcome the impasse.

It comes as the strike continues into its fourth week with Adur & Worthing Councils paying contractors to ‘skim’ rubbish in high risk areas, such as blocks of flats and care homes, and extended tip opening hours.

Talks between GMB and the councils were scheduled for Wednesday morning (April 6) and chaired by ACAS (The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service). They hoped to find a way forward for a ‘joint recognition agreement’.

If agreed, this could put a legal obligation on the council to carry out formal talks and pay negotiations with both UNISON (the union formally recognised by the council) and GMB (the union representing striking workers).

This follows a discussion between GMB and Adur and Worthing Councils chaired by ACAS on Thursday (March 31). But an earlier discussion scheduled for March 29 had to be called off as UNISON declined to take part. UNISON has also lodged a complaint about GMB to the Trades Union Congress (TUC). Leaders of both councils, Neil Parkin and Kevin Jenkins, have called for the strikes to be paused while talks are ongoing and Mr Jenkins says the pay offer on the table is ‘fair’.

The councils have so far offered pay rises of between six and 12.7 per cent to those in the refuse, recycling and cleansing service, depending on the
role, and the offer was accepted by UNISON.

Hazel Thorpe, who leads WBC’s Lib Dem group, also called on workers to pause the strike. Leader of WBC’s Labour group, Dr Beccy Cooper, says she ‘supports the right of workers to strike’ but called on all parties to ‘get round the table and resolve these issues’.

During Worthing Borough Council’s full meeting on Tuesday (April 5), it transpired that a key figure may have been absent from some talks. During public question time, one woman said: “Katherine Howe, the chief executive, has chosen to go on holiday at a crucial moment in the negotiations with GMB – the union that the strikers chose to represent them.

“Does this absence of the CEO show that, at the least, they’re not being taken seriously and, at worst, that the strikers are being held in contempt and the demands of these vital key workers are not being addressed properly?”

The woman claimed that some communications from WBC ‘sought to paint the refuse workers’ strike action in a negative light’.

Mr Jenkins, responding to the question, said: “I’d love to know what the demands are from the GMB.

“They haven’t put it on a piece of paper, it’s not written down and maybe when the GMB come to the table and we have meaningful talks this week, we can understand that. I recognise – and I believe every member in this chamber recognises – that refuse, recycling and cleansing teams have done a fantastic service to the borough and their efforts during the pandemic were particularly noted and demonstrated by the public support. The strike in the refuse and recycling service has caused significant disruption to residents and businesses just as we’ve began to emerge from this pandemic. “So I remain grateful to the cleansing crews that have worked throughout – they’ve done a great job in keeping our environment as clean as possible in very difficult circumstances and all minds should be focused on bringing the strike to an end.”

In relation to the chief executive, Mr Jenkins said that ‘every member of Adur and Worthing staff is entitled to have annual leave’, adding that responsibility for leading negotiations with the GMB had ‘been delegated with the full consent of both council leaders’.

“Ms Howe was in contact on a daily basis,” Mr Jenkins said. A council spokesperson said staff had been ‘working around the clock’ before the strike began.

GMB claimed on Saturday (April 2) that public statements made by the councils could see its members ‘targeted’.

Mark Turner, GMB B50 branch secretary, said: “The current negative narrative being played out by some at Adur & Worthing [Councils] leaves our members fearful of potential reprisals from the public who could take such remarks literally.”

The union has welcomed a staged approach to talks with the council and ACAS.

GMB Regional Organiser Gary Palmer, said: “I’m optimistic that the meeting on Wednesday 6th will, with ACAS’ involvement, start negotiations on the GMB pay proposals in earnest.”