Brighton & Hove: No End To Bin Dispute - Labour Calls For Independent Mediator

Labour has now called for an independent mediator to help end the CityClean strike in the city, which has scheduled four weeks of industrial action.

The GMB Union, Sussex Branch tweeted late last night to say they still haven't had an offer from the council that will bring the city's bin strike to a close. 

Meanwhile, bins are overflowing into huge piles in the street, blocking pavements and creating a bad smell throughout the city.

The latest statement from The Labour Group:

The Labour Group are calling on the Green administration to bring in an independent mediator to help resolve the City Clean dispute that has led to ongoing strike action.

In Autumn 2019, under the last Labour administration, an independent mediator in the form of a senior industrial relations expert was brought in to help negotiations and resolve a difficult situation which meant avoiding strike action at City Clean.

That same expert has indicated he may be available currently, so Labour are calling upon on the Green administration to get in touch with him as a matter of urgency and ask for his assistance to resolve the current dispute. 

Labour are clear that when industrial disputes reach an impasse it can be really beneficial to bring in some independent and objective advice and expertise. 

With the bin strike having been ongoing for almost a week now, and rubbish and recycling piling up on the streets of Brighton & Hove with residents suffering, Labour are keen to find a solution to end the dispute.

Cllr John Allcock, co-leader of the opposition, said:

“We are keen to help bring an end to this bin dispute that is having such a detrimental effect on our residents and our city’s reputation.

“The previous Labour administration succeeded in avoiding strike action by keeping lines of communication open, negotiating and when necessary bringing in an independent mediator to help resolve disputes.

“This is what we are calling on the Green administration to do now. Bring in an independent expert who has the trust and respect of both parties to help end the strike in the interests of residents.”
 

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A cross-party meeting was scheduled for Thursday where Labour, Green and Conservative councillors were due to be updated regarding the situation with CityClean.

Local Democracy Reporter Sarah Booker-Lewis, reported last Thursday, October 7:

Council leader Phélim Mac Cafferty told the committee that talks between council officials and the GMB union were at a sensitive stage.

He said that councillors had attended talks on Tuesday to listen to drivers’ concerns.

“Councillors are not involved in the day-to-day management of drivers at Cityclean but this week we have attended talks as we are keen to listen and ensure the concerns of staff are heard.

“We want to help resolve the dispute raised by the GMB with the employer.

“For the past few weeks, council management have been meeting with GMB representatives and following a round of talks on Tuesday night (5 October) the employer made a formal offer to the GMB to address the issues being raised, including about bin lorry rounds being moved.

“I want to thank residents for their patience over the disruption. People in our city want to see a bin collection service that works.

“The desire for a well-functioning waste and recycling system is one that we share and we hope talks can lead to this outcome for residents and for staff.”

Two Green councillors, Amy Heley and Jamie Lloyd, attended the meeting with the GMB union yesterday (Wednesday 6th) when they were joined by senior council officials.

In response to Councillor Mac Cafferty’s comment, GMB branch secretary Mark Turner said that the council leader had not met union representatives himself.

Mr Turner said:

“He still refuses to meet the GMB and those councillors were asked to leave the room yesterday because they were just antagonising the dispute.”

The strike started on Tuesday, with drivers picketing outside the Cityclean depot in Upper Hollingdean Road, Brighton.

Updates to come.