Industrial action by Birmingham’s refuse collectors has been SUSPENDED following progress in talks.
ACAS, announced this morning that, following talks between Birmingham City Council and union Unite overseen by the conciliation service, Shop Stewards have paused industrial action.
No redundancies
An ACAS spokesperson said: “Birmingham City Council cabinet members have agreed in principle that the grade 3 posts will be maintained. Consequently there are no redundancy steps in place.”
Talks will continue through ACAS so that council and union bosses can work together on how the city’s refuse service service can be improved. The ACAS spokesperson said talks would look at: “improving efficiencies in performance of the bin collection service generally, including what savings can be made, and specifically how best the current Grade 3 roles can now be maintained and developed so that they take forward the ambition to deliver cleaner streets and align to wider Total Place principles.”
Union to accept new working patterns?
Unite have also agreed in principle to recommend to their members work pattern changes, including consideration of a 5 day working week. with both parties agreeing that the working week should be designed to maximise service delivery.
It is hoped that full resolution will be reached in time to be added as an amendment to the Waste Management Service Cabinet Report in September 2017.
Relief
Unite assistant general secretary Howard Beckett said: “We are very pleased that we have reached the stage where we can suspend the industrial action while we hold further talks about the future of the refuse service.
“I know this news will be greatly welcomed by the people of Birmingham as they look forward to their bins being collected again on a regular and seamless basis. I would like to thank them for their understanding over recent weeks.”
A response from Birmingham City Council will be added as available