Bromley binmen strike has been suspended, Acas says (From News Shopper)

Bromley binmen strike has been suspended, Acas says

4:13pm Tuesday 11th December 2012 in Bromley By Robert Fisk

A PLANNED strike by Bromley’s binmen will not take place on Friday after crunch talks took place today (December 11).

The Veolia Environmental Services workers had been set to walk out in the first of a series of strikes designed to hit the Christmas collection period.

Unite union was then planning to strike on 27th, 28th and 31st December.

But in a meeting between the two warring factions at the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) it was agreed to call off the strike.

An ACAS spokesman said: "Following successful talks between Veolia and Unite led by Acas, the industrial action planned by disposal and collection staff in the London borough of Bromley has been suspended. “ACAS will be conducting further talks with the parties to resolve outstanding issues."

The union members had been planning to take industrial action in support of four binmen who were fired for gross misconduct.

They were fired because they took away garden waste for a woman – which is forbidden as they are only allowed to collect household waste.

Bromley Council, which pays Veolia to collect household waste on its behalf, says the garden waste included 14 large bags and some chairs and weighed around 400kg.