Waste site staff threaten strike action over cost-cutting measures

County Hall responded by reassuring residents that it does not expect significant disruption if industrial action does take place because it would put plans in place to keep all sites open.

Councillors approved plans, following a public consultation, to close the tip at Somerby and reduce opening days at the Market Harborough, Shepshed and Kibworth sites.

Residents who currently visit the Somerby waste site are advised to use the Melton Mowbray tip at Lake Terrace from September 30.

All county waste sites will reduce opening hours during the summer, from April to September, from next year, and all will close on Christmas Eve as part of the changes.

The county council say the amendments will save the authority £300,000 to help it tackle extreme pressure on its finance with a budget gap of £85million predicted by 2028 due to spiralling costs and a growing demand on services.

The GMB Union, which expects around 50 tip workers to take part in a ballot on industrial action, has criticised the plans and it says staff wages at waste sites will effectively be slashed by as much as £1,300 as a result of the cuts to services.

David Warwick, GMB organiser, said: “These workers are facing an impossible situation, with council bosses unilaterally imposing huge pay cuts on them.

“There could be overflowing waste in the county’s tips within weeks if council bosses refuse to row back on these damaging plans.

“Workers are rightly furious at the plans, which would have a huge impact on them and their families.

“They should not be expected to pay the price for the council’s bad financial planning and our union will fight these cuts tooth and nail.”

Responding to the threats of industrial action over its cost-cutting changes to waste site services, a spokesperson for Leicestershire County Council said: “The county council has noted the union’s intention to ballot for industrial action and open to further dialogue with GMB to try and resolve this situation and minimise any impacts on waste site staff.

“Should industrial action be voted for, no significant disruption is expected, and plans will be put in place to ensure that most waste sites can remain open as scheduled.

“Due to upcoming changes in the opening hours of waste sites from April 2025, modifying the working patterns was necessary. There will be no redundancies.”

The spokesperson added: “A formal consultation with affected staff and the unions was carried out between July 1 and September 9, 2024, listening to feedback and making changes where possible.

“An initial consultation took place from November 2023 and January 2024 on the proposals, with a second consultation running from February to March 2024 after plans were modified based on feedback received.”

Changes were made to the original proposals following consultations, including a decision to keep both the Market Harborough and Shepshed sites open.