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Shake-up of refuse service after sacking
From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Thursday 2nd Sep 2004.
LACK of supervision has led to refuse collectors in north Wiltshire being sacked for acting dangerously, it was revealed this week.
The council is now recruiting two new supervisors to help improve the performance of its refuse collection service. This follows high sickness rates and complaints about uneven workloads, as well as serious health and safety issues that have recently come to light.
North Wiltshire District Council's UNISON trade union branch secretary Bruce Matthews said three men were dismissed in March following an allegation that the loaders were riding on the back of the refuse lorry, which is strictly against the rules.
He said a series of appeals had followed and the driver, a UNISON member, had been reinstated with a warning, because the driver could not necessarily keep an eye on the two loaders at all times.
A final appeal by one of the other men was due to be held yesterday and following this the loader could choose to take the matter to an industrial tribunal.
Mr Matthews said hanging on to the back of the refuse lorry was something the loaders were strictly banned from doing.
"We are very keen for health and safety rules to be enforced, and the management must train and tell people what they must do," he said. "We have had concerns about this and they do need more supervision, but in fairness to the management it has responded to this and there are plans to take on two new supervisors."
Coun Sylvia Doubell, lead member for recycling and waste management, expressed her determination to turn the cleansing and amenities department around.
She was unable to say what the nature of the recent health and safety issue was, because it will be dealt with at a tribunal involving unions, management and health and safety officials, but she said: "I cannot say what the issue was because I have not been told. I am not allowed to know myself at this stage.
"However, I have to assume a crew has been suspended.
"There are all kinds of things it could be."
Members of North Wiltshire District Council's executive committee will be asked today to give an extra £28,000 to the cleansing and amenities budget to support the extra posts.
The new supervisors are needed to assess the rounds and make sure the workload is equalised, to ensure the rounds are completed on time and to improve the performance of the crews.
They will also deal with any complaints and assist the public and businesses in understanding what can and cannot be collected as part of the normal refuse rounds.
The district council also wants to encourage more recycling and waste minimisation.
The rethink of the refuse department follows the introduction of wheeled bins and reflects Coun Doubell's determination to improve service to the customer and improve working conditions for the staff.
"I've been portfolio holder for just over a year now and I am anxious the department, which has a third of the council's staff, becomes more efficient for the customer and the people working there," she said.
She said the introduction of wheeled bins has been a success with 98 per cent of people happy with the changes, but the remaining two per cent needed problems ironing out.
"With the new supervisors we will be able to go out and try and deal with problems straight away," she said.
"The freighters have changed because of the wheeled bins, and they are longer and can't access some places.
"We have ordered a smaller freighter but that is not in service yet."
Coun Doubell said the department had a high level of absence through sickness, and the appointment of new supervisors will mean back-to-work interviews can be carried out, to find out why people were off work and to make sure they are well enough to return for duty.
"I am very determined this department turns around and it is improving," she said.
"I have great respect for the men working in the department. They do a vital job, and I want to improve their working conditions."
The report to the executive committee says a review is underway and may result in a reduction in the number of rounds.
Crew members also need time at the depot for discussions with supervisors, for appraisals and to discuss any issues that may arise.
The refuse crew members expressed concern about health and safety issues, sickness levels of some colleagues, problems with some residents as a result of the change to wheeled bins, and a general lack of supervision on the rounds all of which has contributed to a lowering of morale.
It will cost around £45,000 to finance the new posts but the district council has received a one-off grant of £34,000 from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which could be used to fund the posts for the rest of the financial year.
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