Waste site reassurance after union’s intention to ballot

Following the GMB union's recent announcement, Leicestershire County Council is reassuring residents that no significant disruption is expected at waste sites.

The county council has noted the union's intention to ballot for industrial action and open to further dialogue with GMB to try and resolve this situation and minimise any impacts on waste site staff.

Should industrial action be voted for, no significant disruption is expected, and plans will be put in place to ensure that most waste sites can remain open as scheduled.

Due to upcoming changes in the opening hours of waste sites from April 2025, modifying the working patterns was necessary. There will be no redundancies.

A formal consultation with affected staff and the unions was carried out between 1st July and 9th September 2024, listening to feedback and making changes where possible.

An initial consultation took place from November 2023-January 2024 on the proposals, with a second consultation running from February-March 2024 after plans were modified based on feedback received. Changes to the original proposals included keeping both Market Harborough and Shepshed sites open.

Ends

Notes

The changes will only apply for employees at the recycling sites working over 37 hours. The council's standard full-time working is 37 hours a week. This is due to the planned reduction in summer waste site opening times from 1st April 2025, as a result of the changes, working hours will average out at 37 per week next year.

A one-off compensation payment to qualifying employees whose hours will reduce.

Changes to waste site opening hours are part of other operational changes set to save the council £300,000 per year with the county council facing a forecasted £85m budget gap by 2028.