A union has slammed bosses and Waltham Forest Council for “squeezing members dry” as refuse workers denied paid time off for Queen’s funeral bank holiday.
Refuse workers for contractor Urbaser in Waltham Forest have not been given paid time off for the Queen’s funeral bank holiday tomorrow.
According to the union GMB, if workers do want to take Monday off, they must have worked on Saturday (September 17) without the standard enhanced pay for weekend work.
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Alternatively, workers could make a leave request which would be at the discretion of the employer.
One worker and GMB member said: “I know we do an essential role for the community but it’s wrong of Urbaser management to deny us the time to mark this national moment.
“In order for us to guarantee the time off we must be willing to do so unpaid.
“They won’t afford us the decency to allow us to mark the sad passing of our Queen, with our families, like the rest of the country.”
The union also claimed that due to other services closing for the bank holiday staff will not have access to any toilet facilities while on shift.
GMB London organiser Michael Dooley said: “These contractors never miss an opportunity to squeeze our members dry.
“This is no ordinary bank holiday, it’s not a jolly down to Margate.
“All they can think about is how to make a quick buck for their business.”
Deputy council leader Clyde Loakes said: “Waltham Forest Council’s contractor Urbaser has confirmed that staff were consulted about working on Bank Holiday Monday to mark the National Day of Mourning.
“For those staff that requested the time off, leave was granted.
“As with all weekend and bank holiday working, toilet facilities are provided.”
Following a ballot of Waltham Forest refuse workers this month, which showed they were in favour of strike action in principle, strike action is looking likely.
GMB has not provided any provisional dates for strike action but has advised any strikes would likely take place in October.
Urbaser has been approached for a response.
https://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/22294349.bin-company-bosses-blasted-bank-holiday-strikes-loom/
