Barnet Council Street Cleansing workers ballot

For over a decade Barnet Town centres have been cleaned by Barnet Council Street Cleansing Team.

Over that time the workforce has been cut along with the Town Centre keepers.

Last November (2017), the Council voted to cut the street cleansing workforce by 19% and reduce the number of town keepers

In February 2018 overtime for weekend working stopped by senior management without any consultation with staff or the Trade Unions. The reason given was that the overtime budget was overspent. Workers were informed that the overtime would return to normal as of 1 April 2018.

A week later the decision was reviewed and only some hours returned.

As from 1 April 2018, the overtime has not returned as promised. Furthermore, more changes have been imposed on weekend working without discussion with the staff and Trade Unions.

Barnet UNISON fully supports our members and recognises that the established weekend overtime which has been in place for over a decade formed a vital part of our members pay.

The removal of the overtime without meaningful consultation with staff and trade unions is placing unacceptable hardship on an already over-worked and under-resourced workforce.

Barnet UNISON has had a meeting with senior management to discuss overtime for the Street Cleansing workforce. Unfortunately, they have rejected our proposal to restore the weekend overtime.

Barnet UNISON is carrying out an indicative strike ballot which closes Tuesday 29 May 2018.

Links

Barnet UNISON Street Cleansing overtime cut meetings (Feb 2017)

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2018/02/16/barnet-unison-street-cleansing-overtime-cut-meetings/

Barnet UNISON speaking against the cuts to Street Cleansing (Nov 2017)

https://youtu.be/-aUnR6SBC7Y