THURROCK’S BIN MEN rubbished a leading borough councillor over “disparaging comments” as they held a 30-strong lorry convoy through the streets to the Civic Offices in Thurrock this morning (Tuesday).
According to spokesman Billy Spence, bin-men have been verbally abused on and off duty as the public have accused them of not going out due to the cold weather with people also speculating that they were dragging their heels as the waste contract was up for re-negotiation.
Billy said: “We have been sworn at on the streets and off duty in the pubs because people think we have been refusing to go out.
“But we can tell you that we were more than happy to go out and put salt on the path so that we can get on with the job but the council did not have any shovels and could not supply us with any salt!”
“We are also very worried about our jobs, now that the contracts have been split up.”
The workers were also upset at comments made by Environment Portfolio Holder, Cllr Mike Revell.
Last week, Cllr Revell made a firm promise that under the new contract: ” If conditions determine they can’t go out and collect they will have been retrained and can be redeployed on tasks such as gritting the streets.”
Cllr Revell has responded. He said: “Firstly, there is no threat to their jobs. Secondly, it is clear that the Labour are playing politics here and no wonder they were there to meet the refuse collectors.
“They had an opportunity to contest the contract but their “call-in” came in too late. They have behaved disgracefully.”
Leader of the Opposition, John Kent countered Cllr Revell’s accusations and slammed his treatment of the bin-men.
He said: “I have the documentary evidence that shows the call-in was entered in good time.
“What is important is that the council’s claim that the new contract structure can save £2 million is highly dubious. Scrutiny has been denied, there is an absence of facts. There isn’t any yard, there isn’t any management in place but what concerns me most is that the £2 million saving will be found through attacking terms and conditions”.
The hundred strong delegation pledged that they would return tomorrow night to petition Cllr Revell in person at the Full Council meeting.
well done to all these binmen who supported one another at there protest, we as a borough should support these hard workers instead of complain. my concerns are that a council who have had to make so many cut backs, can afford to bring back this service in house what about those people who were put out of work through these tough times.
Looks like this dispute will continue for some time, I appreciate that the binmen are obviously wary about losing thier jobs, as anyone would be, but who is telling the truth in this debate, on one hand the council are accusing the binmen of not being flexible in thier duties during “Snowgate” and they are claiming that they would have gone out and done other things.
I think that public, who indirectly pay for the service, are entitled to know the truth.
From my understanding the current providers tender was below the councils’ which is puzzling..
What irritates me however is that the usual suspects Councillor Kent and Councillor Morris waste no time in seeking publicity for the opposition and try to stir the pot.Was it not they who appointed the existing contractor?.
Perman the council bid is £2 million less than the current Veolia contract according to the councilors in the film.
If as you say, the violia bid was less than the council’s bid then how many years have they been overcharging the council?
£2 million overcharged for 7 years = £14 million?