Refuse workers in Ealing to move forward with a consultation ballot on taking strike action
Following a mass meeting of GMB members employed by Ealing Council’s Trading Company, Greener Ealing Ltd, members have authorised the GMB to move forward with a consultation ballot on taking strike action.
This is the second step in a process that could lead to industrial action, because of Greener Ealing Ltd and Ealing Councils' failure to provide them with a serious pay offer. During this time of financial difficulty, this shows a complete lack of respect and disregard for employees and their families.
GMB members employed by Greener Ealing Ltd (who provide refuse, street cleaning, recycling and grounds maintenance) should have received a pay increase in April. Instead, they have had to make ends meet with no pay rise, despite the cost-of-living crisis getting worse month by month. Every other Refuse provider in London has by now made a pay offer to its employees, Greener Ealing Ltd stands alone in its mismanagement of not providing a pay offer.
Keith Williams, GMB London Region Senior Organiser said:
“Ealing Council has offered GEL an additional 2% uplift in the contract price to fund pay increases for 2022, but this is nowhere near enough, especially in the current economic climate. Members and their families should not be the collateral damage in the failure of Ealing Council and GEL to come to a satisfactory arrangement.”
“If Ealing Council knows it cannot meet its financial obligations and properly fund its contractors, they need to be addressing this and a good place to start would be following up on the letter that was sent to the Government in July requesting urgent funding for all Local Government Employers or risk cuts to jobs and services. Just sending a letter is not enough there needs to be action”
“Any industrial dispute and disruption to services will be as a result of the failure of Greener Ealing Ltd and Ealing Council, as they have had seven months to resolve this situation. While Greener Ealing Ltd and Ealing Council continue to ignore and disrespect the needs of our members, GMB is moving ahead through the stages of industrial action. Employees cannot be expected to put up with such inept management.”
GMB London calls on both Greener Ealing Ltd and Ealing Council to urgently work together to formulate a decent pay offer for employees that recognises the financial backdrop and hard work of employees who are struggling to maintain services to residents.
Ends
Contact: Keith Williams, GMB London Region Senior Organiser 077 1063 1339
For more information please contact: GMB London Region Press Office 079 7001 9643 / London.press@gmb.org.uk
