‘Draconian’ management style

Unite working at the Doncaster waste transfer station will be taking part in a one-day strike on December 12 over a ‘draconian’ management style and a ‘derisory’ pay offer which will leave workers 30 pence an hour worse off in real terms.

The one-day stoppage by the workers, who are employed by SITA UK Limited which trades as SUEZ, follows a massive 98 per cent vote in favour strike action on a turnout of 94 per cent.

Workers have grown angry over management’s increasingly hard line attitude resulting in workers not being allowed to take any holidays since August and a number of ‘trumped up’ unfair dismissals, which they fear is a prelude to potential redundancies.

“We had hoped that we could have avoided a strike and the inevitable disruption it will bring through recent talks at the conciliation service Acas,” said Unite regional officer Shane Sweeting.

“Sadly management was not willing to listen and instead seem hellbent on continuing with its bullying ‘draconian’ management style and denying people taking time off to go on holiday with their family.

“To add insult to injury bosses have sought to further frustrate workers with a pay offer which will result in some of our members losing 30 pence an hour in real terms because of cuts to their terms and conditions.

“The bullying mentality of management cannot be allowed to fester. We urge the company to get around the negotiating table to meaningfully negotiate a solution which meets our members’ concerns and restores dignity and respect to the workplace.”