Refuse collectors in Redbridge, east London, have won a new and improved contract from the council. They had already been on strike and were about to take more action.
The workers, members of Unite, were due to strike again from 22 August until 5 September. But they accepted a fresh offer from the employer.
Improved
Redbridge Civic Services, a council subsidiary, agreed to improved terms and conditions. These included a reduced regular working week, paid overtime, better sick pay and a review of vehicles and maintenance to improve services.
Unite regional officer Nicholas West, praising how the workers stood firm in a difficult situation, said, “We’ve finally had the much needed involvement of the council and our members have finally been presented with a reasonable offer that they have accepted and returned to work.”
• Refuse workers elsewhere in the country have ongoing disputes. At one depot in Sheffield, Veolia is refusing to recognise Unite despite the majority of workers being members. And in Birmingham some waste disposal workers are resisting downgrading as the troubled council tries to cut costs.