Dear friend,
Birmingham City Council (BCC) has escalated it’s attack on local refuse workers. BCC have stated that they will reduce payment by 20% for all employees who refused to carry out “reasonable instruction” in December. These instructions were to pick up refuse left out on the day of the strike and is not on a usual route. Quite rightly workers refused to service this waste.
BCC have also stated that they will now check the tonnage of waste collected every day. They have worked out an “average daily tonnage” and have stated:
“Where it is evident that a crew have not performed to a reasonable standard in that the tonnage collected on a particular round on a particular day is less than the average that would normally be collected on that round on that day, then a proportionate deduction from salary will be made.
For example, if the average tonnage collected on a particular round on a particular day is 20 tonnes, and the crew working on that round collect only 10 tonnes, then a 50% deduction in pay for that day will be made. These deductions shall be taken from February salaries and monthly thereafter, whenever duties are not performed in full.”
BCC have also withdrawn all facility time from union reps.
This is a a big escalation by BCC and comes on the same day that the unions have called more strike dates. Those strike dates will be Thursday 13th Jan and Friday 14th Jan. The strike will start at 10:34am until 12 midnight on each day. Pickets will form up at each depot from 10:34am. With the work to rule still ongoing, these strikes will once again impact across the city.
It is vital that we build solidarity for the refuse workers.
Right to Work is calling a solidarity protest for the Refuse workers on Wednesday 12th Jan. We are calling on all Right To Work supporters, Trade unionists, community campaigners, anyone who supports the refuse workers to assemble on the front of Birmingham Council House, Victoria Square at 5:30pm.
West Midlands Right To Work
Support the Birmingham Refuse Workers
Protest: Wednesday 12th January, 5:30pm
Front of Council House,
Victoria Square.
We have produced a Right To Work window posters and a RTW solidarity/Collection sign up sheet for people to use in their work places or on their streets.
In Solidarity,
Matt Raine
