Sandwell bin round row comes to an end after Serco U-turn

Serco, which handles the domestic waste contract for Sandwell Council, removed two bin lorries and put the work on existing crews last year.

Unite said this raised serious concerns about health and safety as workers were having to cut corners to try and get work finished.

It led residents to social media to complain about their bins not being collected as workers stuck to strict working practices. It led to claims of a backlog of around 900 bins that had gone uncollected.

But now Serco has reverted to its former rounds allocation after talks with the union.

A spokesman for Serco said: “We reverted back to the former rounds allocation to ensure appropriate services were maintained for local residents, which is our main priority.

“Following a review we have decided to leave the collection rounds as they are and work with the unions to determine if any other changes are required.

“We thank residents for their patience during any disruption and thank our employees and the unions for working with us and for the their positive contribution in seeking improvements where they are deliverable.”

The proposals by Serco, which is contracted by Sandwell Council, would have led to unmanageable workloads for refuse workers, said Unite.

Strike action loomed late last year after the controversial proposals were tabled.

But Unite says those plans will no longer go ahead.

Unite also says 60 workers will become permanent employees after working on fixed-term contracts. Unite regional officer Sharon Harding said: “This announcement is good news for Sandwell residents and the Serco workforce.

“It will mean that refuse will continue to be collected in Sandwell without disruption.”

“The deal demonstrates what can be achieved through negotiations.

“Now that this issue has been resolved Unite looks forward to developing constructive industrial relations with Serco moving forward in the future.”

Angry residents had slammed Sandwell Council after a string of missed bin collections over Christmas.

Residents said refuse workers has failed to collect rubbish and recycling for six weeks.

Serco blamed staff shortages over the Christmas period.

But residents branded Sandwell’s bin service “unacceptable” and questioned their use of council tax no the service.

West Bromwich West MP Shaun Bailey said at the time that Sandwell Council should put the service out to tender if things don’t improve.

Strikes among bin crews were imminent at the start of the year.

But talks led to a last-minute reprieve over any industrial action.