Refuse workers in Westminster are gearing up for possible industrial action in a row over bullying.
The GMB union is balloting its members, who work for the waste management firm Veolia in the borough, for action.
It follows what the union said was the “dismissal of their elected rep for exposing bullying in the workplace”.
A GMB spokesperson said 100% of members who have cast their ballots so far have voted to take industrial action if their rep isn’t reinstated after they were sacked on May 30.
The union’s London Regional Organiser Kay Huntbach said: “Members at Veolia are done with the treatment they are receiving, and they are ready to act. Sacking their rep is the final straw in Veolia’s anti-union and anti-worker campaign.
“GMB will always support the right of our reps' and members to participate in trade union activities. GMB are ready to take a stand against the bullies of the bin world.”
A Westminster City Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the internal personnel matter regarding our contractor Veolia and are in contact with them.”
A Veolia spokesperson said: “At Veolia, we have zero tolerance towards bullying in the workplace. We work hard to ensure all of our employees are treated fairly, whether or not they are union members.
“The GMB has not notified us of any formal ballot for industrial action and we would encourage them to raise any concerns to us directly through the appropriate channels.”
