The Isle of Wight risks rubbish piling up on the streets as GMB union members prepare to go on strike over Isle of Wight Festival weekend.
As previously reported by Island Echo, GMB union members working as refuse operatives on the Island are being balloted for industrial action.
The ballot, which closes on 27th May, could see action begin on the Island as early as 13th June, with the Isle of Wight Festival scheduled to take place over the weekend of 16th to 19th June.
The workers are in dispute with their employer Amey, over pay, which the union members argue is well below industry rates and will not be rectified by the current tabled deal.
Gary Palmer, GMB Regional Organiser said:
“Our members are simply looking for a pay rise which reflects their worth.
“These are key workers who were working throughout the pandemic and are now looking for some recognition of that.
“This is a physically demanding job which needs doing come rain or shine, and any pay rise needs to reflect not only that, but also keep above inflation, which has hit a record high this week.
Article continues below this advertisement “We are very clear that anything below inflation is a de facto pay cut.
“GMB would suggest that festival organisers might want to give the council a call to see why their contractor is refusing to enter negotiations with the union.
“Put simply, if Amey agree to get around the table with GMB and put together a pay deal that properly reflects the rising costs of food, fuel and household bills, there won’t be any need for a strike.”
An Amey spokesperson has said:
“Amey is extremely disappointed that the GMB union are pushing ahead with balloting members on strike action, particularly when the GMB Trade Union does not have a recognition agreement for the Isle of Wight contract and there is no collective bargaining unit to negotiate pay.
“Amey is in positive direct dialogue with our employees on the Isle of Wight contract and we are confident we can reach an agreement on this issue without resorting to such action.
“Amey provides services for the Isle of Wight Festival outside of the contract that it holds with the Isle of Wight Council and potential strike action would not affect our delivery. Amey has established routes of communication with the organisers of the festival to ensure they are kept informed.
“We fully appreciate the critical role our employees play and are committed to supporting them through this process while ensuring there will be no disruption to our services.”
Amey need to go there the worst rubbish collection company ever to work here on the Isle of Wight.They leave more rubbish on the streets than they recycle.
Well said, bring back Biffa…
It doesn’t matter which company has the contract, they employ the same bin men!!
Hold on on a minute !!!!!!
Previous reason for a strike was they get same pay as a trainee on the mainland !!!!!!
Now it says the pay rise is not in line with inflation???
With the cost of food prices etc going up ???
Sorry I know they do a good job but loads people worked through the pandemic and they are still facing the same price rises!!!!
And their pay rises don’t reflect inflation ….
So long as the toilet cleaners don’t strike at the festival we should be okay
Nice photo. The High Street end of North Road, Shanklin looks like that every day and has done for several years. The laughingly useless Waste(rs) Dept of the Isle of Wight Council couldn’t give a stuff and outright ignore the issue. Don’t take my word for it, drive past any time, day or night. Nice view for a tourist town isn’t it? Not! And the salary pot for the staff in that department??
Never understand why those that worked hardest and most risk in Pandemic eg essential workers where never paid more and rewarded , while others were paid to sit at home decorating, gardening,watching TV etc doing nothing at all. Put service back to Island Waste or Biffa – Amey have bad reputation across the country – that’s Amey ,not the front line workers
The only thing they take regularly is the re cycle bin insret and the food bin, oh and dont forget the p#%s.
I hope the strike goes ahead and the workers get the pay they deserve, maybe consider striking on Cowes week too if you don’t get the result you want, and blockade the tips.
I never feel comfortable with strike action. As an employer myself if staff don’t like the pay and benefits they get then they should look elsewhere if they feel they can get the same work for greater pay. Unless a payrise is within their contract of employment then the company is under no obligation to give one and shouldn’t be held to ransom by employees to force it.
Are you locked in the 1900s? A decision to strike must always be the absolute last resort, a pay rise should be awarded for a few reasons. such as keeping up with inflation or awarded for employees creating with your assistance a good profit.
Valued motivated staff who feel appreciated are more likely to stay and be committed to further your business and profits. Remember it’s your staff who keep your business going and provide you with food on your table as well as their own.
There is also a little something called a legal minimum wage, perhaps you feel uncomfortable with that.
The Refuse Collectors want paying the same rate as their mainland counters ?
Fine
If they are not
Maybe we should look at paying public service workers the as they work on the Island
such as police officers, nurses, teachers
And heaven forbid our Island MP Should receive a salary equal to a junior
just for the location they live in
Lets see what uproar that would create
Right behind refuse workers
And unless the negative commenters on here have walked in your shoes
let them try it for a week
And see if there attitudes change
Go for it
I m for one am right behind you all
So they just want to be paid what they’re worth do they? 50 years since the equal pay act it’s openly acknowledged women’s pay is still today 30% below that of men. Yet they are asked to suck it up. Here’s hoping those workers go home to a spouse who’s on strike..