Doncaster Christmas bin strikes called off after bullying crisis is resolved

Refuse workers employed by Doncaster Council’s collection company Suez Recycling and Recovery were set to walk out on four days after union bosses at Unite called for strike action.

The workforce recorded a 94 per cent yes vote in what bosses said was in response to ‘systematic bullying of the workforce’ and the dismissal of Unite lead rep Damien Nota, while other workers had also been suspended.

Much of the alleged bullying and harassment was connected to the company’s CCTV system and involved managers trawling through historic footage.

The initial strike action was due to take place on Wednesday 15 December, with three further strikes dates planned over the festive period. These strikes have now been called off and the dispute suspended on the agreement of both Unite and Suez.

Following the announcement of strike action, fresh negotiations were held and the following was agreed:

Damien Nota has been offered reinstatement without sanction

All other suspensions will be lifted

A new CCTV and monitoring policy will be introduced and adequate training provided

Unite will be able to appoint additional union reps and more facility time will be granted to avoid similar problems developing in the future.

Both sides have agreed that the industrial action will be suspended until March to allow for a new CCTV and monitoring policy to be jointly agreed and implemented.

Suez has further agreed to conduct an internal investigation into the conduct of its managers on the contract.

Unite regional officer Shane Sweeting said: “This is a tremendous victory by workers who stood together and by their solidarity have ended a huge workplace injustice.

“Unite made it clear that workers were striking as a last resort and that it was fully prepared to enter into negotiations to resolve the dispute.

“Once Suez recognised the strength of feeling among members and understood the level of disruption that bin strikes would cause in Doncaster it entered into negotiations and a highly satisfactory deal has been hammered out.

“Hopefully this agreement and the development of the new policy can be the catalyst for rebuilding industrial relations at Suez and similar problems can be avoided in future.”