Remaining resolute

After a year on the picket line workers remain strong in face of union-busting activities by waste management giant, Veolia, who still refuse to recognise their union for collective bargaining.

The one-year anniversary of their strike action passed yesterday (19 August), and still the employer won’t recognise the Unite members right to have their union deal with issues like pay, conditions, disciplinary matters and work policies. This despite the union having the majority of workers at the Lumley Street site. 

Unite members at the refuse company have been fighting for their rights and on strike since 19 August 2024 – making the dispute now longer than the 1984 – 85 miners strike. 

Workers remain furious at this refusal and continue to take strike action in demand of a basic democratic right. An agreement was even reached at Christmas only for Veolia to go back on the deal at the last minute.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite will continue to back our members at Veolia one hundred per cent. The company’s approach to workplace relations remains in the gutter. All our members want is for their union to be recognised. That Veolia continues to refuse such a reasonable request speaks volumes about its approach to its employees. But if Veolia thinks Unite will go quietly, it needs to think again.”

Unite activists have travelled across Europe and North America to exert pressure on Veolia management as part of a sustained campaign. Unite is continuing to maintain pressure on the picket line in Sheffield and at Veolia HQ in the UK and France.

The strike has received support from across the country, and the Sheffield workers have been joined by Birmingham bin workers and local unions in solidarity at recent “mega pickets”.

Unite has recently produced a short film, “The year long fight”, where members at the site talk about their frustrations at the employers attitude, and determination to gain recognition. 

Unite regional officer Shane Sweeting added: “Veolia reaps millions in profits from cushy council contracts but won’t do the right thing by its workers. It stinks. Unite will be backing our members in their ongoing fight and they will be on the picket line as usual.”

Veolia is a huge multinational corporation based in Paris. It runs Sheffield’s bins and recycling service through a contract with the city council. Veolia made £11.7 million in profit from Sheffield in 2023, while the council faces a budget shortfall of £18.1 million. 

Veolia makes £815 million a year in global profits – much of it coming from public contracts like Sheffield. As the council makes cuts to local services, Veolia is paying out millions to shareholders – £763 million in the past year, part-funded by its Sheffield profits.

Unite will continue to tell Veolia to clean up its act, respect the wishes of workers and negotiate with Unite and there is more information on the campaign page. 

By Keith Hatch