Staff working at Cardiff council's Waste collection department have voted to strike as part of an ongoing dispute into an alleged 'toxic bullying culture'. The decision to take industrial action was backed by Unite union members by a majority of 98 per cent.
Strike dates have yet to be confirmed but the action by the workers is expected to have a "significant impact" on rubbish collections across the city. Unite claim recently surveyed its members in the waste collection department, finding “devastating” levels of workplace stress and bullying. The union has now balloted its members on whether they would take industrial action over the dispute which they have voted in favour of.
In February, trade union members held a protest outside Cardiff's County Hall over allegations of bullying and the treatment of staff in the city's refuse collection department. Refuse collectors have complained about supervisors shouting, being dismissive, and bullying and some staff say they are stressed at work. They are also angry at the treatment of agency staff asked to turn up in the morning to find out if there is work.
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Cardiff council said they take "all allegations of bullying seriously" and have been taking part in ongoing discussions with the union. They added that the claims being made are "unsubstantiated".
Unite said it has been raising the concerns of workers for several months but said no firm action by the council has been taken to address the grievances. The union also claims that a recent survey of Unite members working within waste services found that more 60 per cent of workers have either witnessed workplace bullying or had been bullied themselves.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “Workers at Cardiff Council have delivered an overwhelming majority in favour of strike action. They have had enough of this toxic workplace culture and want change. Unite will not tolerate bullying and harassment in any workplace or the targeting of our reps. Our members will receive the full support of Unite during this dispute.”
Unite regional officer, Ruth Hydon commented: “The bullying culture within Waste Services has to end and that can only be achieved through firm and decisive action by Cardiff Council. The issues within waste services are made worse by high levels of agency workers and the practice of keeping workers on agency contracts for years on end.
“If Cardiff council does not resolve this dispute then strike action will lead to considerable disruption to the city’s refuse collections. Unite is calling upon the leadership within Cardiff City Council to act before it is too late.”
However, the council states that the union only represents 350 people of its 13,000 workforce and that they have been engaging in "constructive discussions" with senior members of Unite. Workers spoke to WalesOnline anonymously about the claims which can be found here.
A spokesperson for Cardiff council said: “In recent weeks, the council has been engaging in constructive discussions with senior officials of UNITE Cymru and we will continue to work with them to resolve this dispute with the support of the other trade unions representing the Council’s workforce. The Unite union, which represents around 350 people across our workforce of over 13,000, continues to make claims about working practices in Cardiff.
“The council has met with UNITE on these claims and has asked the Union – on several occasions - to bring forward any evidence of bullying or health and safety concerns which can be investigated properly. So far, they have yet to do so, so the claims that are being made are unsubstantiated.
“We take all allegations of bullying seriously and will always work with Trade Unions when they bring forward specific allegations to investigate. We have robust and long-standing processes in place that have been developed in partnership with our Unions – to do just that. All the Unions know we take a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and the health and safety of our staff is a priority for us.”
In the past couple of years the waste department has seen big changes, with a switch to a four-day week and collection days changing for thousands of homes in Cardiff. This switch initially caused major problems with missed collections, although in recent months the issue seems to have been resolved. The pandemic has also caused problems with staff shortages. No date has yet been set for the industrial action and discussions between Cardiff Council and Unite continue.
A spokesperson for the Welsh Liberal Democrats said: "Under Labour's leadership the council's waste department has gone from crisis to crisis - Wales' worst recycling rates, closed waste tips, dirty streets, and now striking workers. Cardiff Lib Dems are demanding better for workers and our communities."
