Peter Lazenby
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STRIKING refuse workers demonstrated outside council offices in Sheffield in South Yorkshire today to demand recognition of their union, Unite.
The workers are employed by multinational corporation Veolia, which is contracted by Sheffield City Council.
Unite members at the council’s Lumley Street refuse depot want recognition of their union alongside general union GMB, which already has a recognition agreement.
They have been on strike since August 20. Unite says the council has refused to intervene in the dispute with Veolia.
Friday’s demonstration outside Sheffield Town Hall targeted a meeting of the council committee dealing with refuse services.
The strikers have also picketed Veolia-run depots across the UK and have protested at Veolia’s headquarters in Paris.
Striker Joel Mayfield said: “The workers at the Veolia Sheffield depot are only requesting one simple thing and that is to be represented in collective bargaining by the union of our choice.
“We are now seeking wider support from the partners of Veolia, their shareholders, directors, and the public to bring this dispute to an end. One stroke of a pen is all that it needs.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Anyone who does business with Veolia will now be hearing from Unite no matter where they operate.
“Veolia needs to officially recognise Unite in Sheffield and needs to do so now.”
Councillor Joe Otten, chairman of Sheffield Council’s waste and street scene committee, said that the council was doing all it could to maintain waste collection and disposal services.
“We encourage the talks to continue between the relevant parties,” he said.
A Veolia spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that, despite numerous meetings with Unite and GMB, the unions have not yet been able to agree on a resolution to this dispute.
"Veolia has proposed a number of solutions and has made it clear that we would be supportive of joint recognition if it is agreed by both unions.
"We'd like to thank the residents of Sheffield for their understanding as our teams work hard to limit the disruption as a result of 35 people on strike."
