11:26am Wednesday 13th February 2008
By Miles Godfrey
Residents face days of wildcat strikes by binmen after a row over working conditions.
Staff at Brighton's Cityclean depot threatened to continue today's industrial action until the disagreement is resolved, raising the prospect of streets overflowing with waste.
Staff have claimed managers at the Brighton and Hove City Council depot, which is responsible for collecting rubbish across the city, have used "bullying tactics" to increase productivity.
One worker told The Argus this morning: "We'll continue the strikes until the issue is resolved, that may be today, the end of the week, or the end of the month. We're prepared to go as long as it takes."
Around 200 depot staff downed tools on Tuesday in retaliation to having tightly-knit crews broken up by managers.
Four men have reportedly been moved from one lorry to another as management try to address the problem.
Another worker said his cousin, who also works at the depot, had been "punished" for having time off sick by being put onto another shift.
Although some bin collections went ahead, a majority of residents who were due to have their bins emptied yesterday were left without a service.
This morning's 6am rounds were carried out as normal.
But the second shift, due to begin working at 6.50am, refused to go to out Talks between the council and the GMB union are on-going in a bid to resolve the issue.
Although neither side was able to offer a firm indication on when the strike would be over.
One striker said: "The workers are fed up with management bullying tactics.
"We have asked the management to sit down and speak to union representatives.
"We are looking for a change of management approach to the workers."
The rounds are organised into crews of either three or five.
The worker, who did not wish to be named, said: "It becomes like a family unit."
They are picking an individual off the crews and moving them.
"When a new man comes on it takes them time to get to know it.
"Managers are expected to speak to representatives from the GMB union in the next few hours.
A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: "We are trying to resolve it as quickly as possible to minimise disruption so the crews can get back out there doing a great job."
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