GMB North West & Irish Region
9 August 2013

GMB MEMBERS EMPLOYED BY CONTRACTOR AMEY IN LIVERPOOL TO STRIKE AGAIN ON FRIDAY 16TH AND 23RD IN DISPUTE OVER JOBS AND PAY

City Council should step in to get this dispute settled so that a normal service can be delivered to the people of Liverpool says GMB

Over 400 GMB members employed by Amey on refuse and street cleaning contracts in Liverpool took strike action today 9th August in a dispute over job security and pay. A work to rule is underway and there will be a strike next Friday 16th and 23rd August.

On the refuse service Amey want to move to fortnightly collections and have not been able to specify how this will impact on the 250 workers on the contract.  On street cleaning Amey want to reduce the numbers employed by

60 from 270 but have not been able to specify how the reduced numbers can cope with the work or what will happen to the 60 staff no longer needed.

GMB has been seeking a job security agreement to deal with all these issues as well as an agreement on the 2013 pay round. When talks were not successfully concluded GMB conducted an official strike ballot which was supported by 98% for action short of strike and 975 for strike action.

A work to rule has been under way since 26th July and will continue until the dispute is resolved. Amey were notified of a programme of strike action. Today 9th August was the first day and this will be followed by strike action every Friday until October unless the dispute is settled.

George Patterson, GMB Regional officer said “Amey has accused GMB of taking strike action while talks are on-going. However GMB is disappointed that Ron Inwood, the HR director, has decided to go off on holiday for 2 weeks while these talks take place.

Liverpool City Council should step in to get this dispute settled so that a normal service can be delivered to the people of Liverpool”