Bromley binmen strike has been called off (From This Is Local London)

Bromley binmen strike has been called off

12:55pm Friday 18th January 2013 in News By Robert Fisk

UNITE union has called off a 48-hour binmen strike which was due to start in Bromley on Monday.

The Veolia Environmental Services workers, had been set to walk out after an agreement for four fired workers to return to work collapsed.

But it has now been patched up and the crews, which collect rubbish on behalf of Bromley Council, are expected to be working as normal.

This is the second time in a month the union has called off strike action.

It had originally planned to hold a series of strikes to impact on the Christmas collections but these were averted after crunch talks between Unite and Veolia Environmental Services hammered out a deal.

The issue for Monday’s planned strike was over whether the four fired men could return to work on the Bromley Council contract.

They were fired last October for breaching their contract by removing unauthorised waste including garden waste and car seats.

A Veolia spokesman said: “We are pleased to confirm Unite have informed us that the proposed strike action will no longer be taking place. 

"We continue to make progress in negotiations with Unite and the four employees about alternative working options.”