GMB issued a press launch on 9 November 2023 about deliberate industrial motion happening 14 – 17 November inclusive. South Tyneside Council wish to make clear numerous issues raised.
Firstly, we all know our individuals are our strongest asset, and our waste providers operatives are valued members of the Council’s workforce serving on the frontline, supporting 72,000 households, and emptying 6.5 million bins yearly.
The deliberate industrial motion doesn’t relate to disciplinary motion. As is acknowledged within the GMB poll, union members “want to have an effect on a change in Operational Administration“.
The claims made by the GMB of their press launch dated 9 November 2023 usually are not ones that we recognise as a Council. GMB counsel 80% of the workforce have obtained a proper warning not too long ago. In 2023 the present determine is that 4 members from a staff of 63 have obtained a proper warning amounting to six.3%.
All issues raised by waste operatives are being thought of by the impartial investigator. The end result of the investigation is anticipated shortly. The Council would dispute the claims referring to susceptible or aged residents. No disciplinary motion has been taken in relation to this, as has been advised by the GMB.
As referenced above, there may be an ongoing impartial investigation aligned to the Council’s resolving points at work coverage and we await its conclusion within the coming weeks. GMB and Unite Unions have chosen to not await the result of this impartial investigation earlier than urgent forward with industrial motion.
The Council stays dedicated to resolving issues by way of ongoing dialogue and is looking forward to deliberate ACAS conciliation as agreed with the Commerce Unions.
It’s disappointing that industrial motion remains to be going forward earlier than that conciliation and the impartial investigation had been allowed to succeed in a conclusion.
Because the investigation and conciliation is ongoing it might be inappropriate to remark additional.
