Southampton battle not over

Submitted by Matthew on 14 September, 2011 - 12:53

Refuse workers have begun a new round of industrial action in the long-running Southampton council dispute, commencing a work-to-rule as part of the fight against the Tory council’s cuts.

Despite claiming a recruitment freeze is in place and threatening existing employees with redundancy, the council has now begun advertising for 16 jobs in the refuse collection sector.

Unite regional organiser Ian Woodland said: “We would expect that these posts are filled internally first, because there are people who still face losing their jobs. I think there will be questions asked about recruiting when there is a freeze, and when people are taking cuts in pay.”

As part of the action short of a strike, workers were also threatening to refuse to move their vehicles to the council’s new £13 million Dock Gate facility when it opened on Monday 12 September.

Other sections of the council workforce, such as social care workers, are also taking action short of strikes and will meet on Wednesday 14 September to discuss ongoing plans for the dispute.

A mass meeting on 10 August voted to reject the council’s latest offer and to continue with the dispute.

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