The bin dispute which began in January has now ended with a pay rise for the drivers worth up to 12.9%, which is worth an estimated £3,600 per year in their pay packets.
The deal also includes Christmas bonuses worth some £4,000, and disciplinary charges against Unite Shop Steward Pete Randle dropped.
Refuse drivers in Coventry have voted to continue their all-out strike for fair market rate pay. This is a clear rejection of the Council’s attempt to break the strike with expensive contractors, and to intimidate the drivers by suspending rep Pete Randle, and by subjecting Mr Randle and others to bullying and intimidation during the dispute. The drivers’ vote puts the ball back in Council leader Cllr George Duggins’ court.
This dispute could have been easily settled with capable council leaders, instead, George Duggins and the Coventry Councillors have wasted over £2.9million of Coventry residents’ money with the use of contractors. It would cost only £300k to get drivers on the market rate, back to work, and collecting bins again.
Why is this important?
We must stand strong against bad bosses unnecessarily attacking workers and using anti-trade union tactics.
Coventry City Council and their Labour Leader, George Duggins have failed the people of Coventry and they have failed the workers.
Can you help us by writing an email to him, asking him to reinstate Pete, stop union-busting, stop strike breaking and pay the rate?
