The current problems with rubbish collection in two Kent regions may now cause more disruptions due to strikes. Due to salary conflicts, members of GMB, the union that represents those who work in recycling and rubbish collection, are being balloted in Ashford and Swale.
The previous contract with Biffa was replaced in March of this year when Suez Recycling and Recovery Ltd assumed responsibility of trash operations in the boroughs of Swale, Maidstone, and Ashford. Long-term “teething issues” caused by modifications to collection routes and equipment resulted in weeks’ worth of missed garbage pickups for the locals.
Following this, Suez and the three councils apologized as the displeasure of the locals grew. The service “remains inconsistent” for certain people, despite efforts to enhance waste operations in Maidstone, Swale, and Ashford.
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“We do know that improvements still need to be made to the service, but we are pleased that there has been a substantial improvement since the start of the service and that the vast majority of rounds are now being collected on time,” stated Cllr Stuart Jeffrey, the newly appointed leader of Maidstone Borough Council (MBC). While the Council and our contractor SUEZ are collaborating closely to address any outstanding concerns, we will be enforcing the contract’s penalty clause mechanism in the event that their performance falls short of what is expected.”
However, further disruption may be on the horizon as GMB-affiliated Suez workers are now voting on whether to go on strike over alleged wage disparities across the board. “Offering employees working in Swale and Ashford a pay deal in some cases more than £1 per hour lower than that offered to those working in Maidstone,” according to GMB, is what Suez is allegedly doing.
“These companies continue to squeeze their employees dry to maximize the dividends they can pay to their shareholders,” stated Frank Macklin, GMB Regional Organizer. Regardless of whether they are employed in Swale, Ashford, or Maidstone, these employees should be paid equally for the identical tasks they do during the course of the contract.
“Our members in Ashford and Swale deserve the same if workers in Maidstone earn a certain amount and have been offered a certain pay rise.” To make quite clear, workers in Ashford and Swale must receive pay increases to keep up with Maidstone earnings. We will not tolerate paying Maidstone workers less to finance pay increases elsewhere.
Monday, July 29 is when the strike action ballot started and closes, Monday, August 19. “Negotiations between SUEZ and the GMB are ongoing,” stated Vincent Masseri, General Manager of SUEZ.
