Suez Workers Balloted For Strike Action

The GMB union has confirmed to SFM News that is has "begun the process of asking its members who are employed by Suez in Swale and Ashford whether or not to take industrial action".

The ballot is due to a pay disparoty between staff in both Swale and Ashford over Maidstone. Loaders in Swale and Ashford receive £12 per hour and Drivers £15 whilst in Maidstone it's £13 and £17 per hour respectively,

Members are being balloted between now and Monday 19th August. 

In a Statement Frank Macklin, the GMB regional organiser, told SFM News: “GMB has been tackling low pay in the refuse industry for years but is finding it like painting the Forth Bridge – as soon as it appears sorted, we have to go back to where we began and start over. These companies continue to squeeze their employees dry to maximise the dividends they can pay to their shareholders. These workers carry out the same duties and should therefore receive the same pay across the contract, whether it's in Swale, Ashford or Maidstone."

News of the strike vote came after a heated full Council Meeting at Swale House on Wednesday 24th July) when councillors were told that there had been almost 500,000 visits from the public to Swale Borough Council online Bin Day Look-up tool.

It is believed that Suez is now having to pay “punishment” fines to the three councils concerned, for the lack of service following a three-month grace period since taking over the £152 million Mid-Kent Waste Partnership contract on Monday 25th March.