Waltham Forest Refuse Worker attacked at work faces losing job
Refuse workers in Waltham Forest 'are worried for their safety and nothing is being done to protect them'.
CCTV captured violent attack of refuse worker being intimidated and knocked to the ground near his bin lorry on 6th October now faces disciplinary action and possible dismissal.
Urbaser, contracted to provide refuse services in Waltham Forest seems to be far more concerned that the employee could be considered to have brought the company into disrepute, rather than an incident of violent abuse experienced by one of its workforce.
GMB union is calling on the Local Authority of Waltham Forest Council to ensure that Urbaser takes action to protect its workforce against the increase in abuse and violence against hardworking refuse staff and report it to the police for the criminal act that it is.
Mary Goodson, GMB London Region Organiser said:
“Colleagues intervened to restrain the offensive member of the public and have provided supporting statements about the unprovoked attack. We are absolutely shocked, we have seen the CCTV recording where the poor guy was knocked to the ground in the course of his work. He now faces disciplinary action and possible dismissal - all he was doing was trying to get on with his job.
“It is understandable that our members are worried for their safety when they see these assaults happening to their colleagues and nothing is being done to protect them, other than being blamed and persecuted for being violently abused.
“Violence towards employees in any shape or form cannot be tolerated. Urbaser should be working with GMB on measures to stop this abuse, not looking for a scapegoat for its failings.”
Mary Goodson, GMB London Region Organiser 079 5815 6838
