Staff at the sites – run by Sheffield Council sub-contractor The Green Company – are likely to down tools for an hour a day over the break – one of the busiest times for the centres. It is the latest twist in a long-running dispute over pay, conditions and bullying claims which has developed over many months. Industrial action first took place in October has been suspended since November for negotiations but GMB union representative Peter Davies said ‘in all likelihood’ the Easter strike would go ahead.

He added, “Easter is a very busy time so we don’t want to close the centres down but we do want to make the point that this dispute is very much active and needs to be resolved.”

In February Sheffield Council said the authority ‘could no longer have confidence’ in The Green Company to manage the centres. The GMB had called on the authority to act as it said new zero hour contract staff and those on probation were being used to try to break the dispute. Mr Davies said contractor Veolia, which sub-contracts to The Green Company, had been given time to act and now staff felt they had to ‘fight back’.

Union members will decide whether they wish to strike and must give seven days notice if they agree. The Green Company has never commented on the dispute and did not want to say anything yesterday. Veolia also did not comment. A council spokesman said: “We will continue to encourage talks between Green Co and their employees and do all we can to minimise any disruption to services.”

Source: Sheffield Star 13/3/15