Sheffield bin striker slams privatised refuse bosses

About 50 workers on the picket line on 17 October block lorries coming out of the yard photo Philip King (Click to enlarge)

By a striking Sheffield bin worker

It was a proud day to be a bin man in Sheffield on 17 October as a hundred or more of my GMB union colleagues and I protested about the greedy corporate giant Veolia's refusal to agree our request for a 2% pay rise. They say they can't meet our demand while paying thousands to ship in scab labour and accommodate them in hotels.

Personally, I like to think we're playing our part in ridding our city of one of Sheffield City Council's most expensive mistakes.

Veolia uses rate payers' money to satisfy its own ambitions all around the world and it shows a greater obligation to its shareholders than it does to those whose council tax funds them.

Privatisation

Veolia aren't here by any mandate from the people of Sheffield, but because the council privatised waste management on a 30 year contract.

During our strike, we formed a peaceful blockade to obstruct vehicles and scab labour from leaving the yard.

Veolia spirits millions away from our city when our council services have been stripped to the point of being ineffective - a concern we should all stand against.

Donate to the Socialist Party

Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.

Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.

We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to click here to donate to our Fighting Fund.