Sheffield rubbish tip workers to strike over delayed contract

Workers at household waste tips in Sheffield are to go on an indefinite strike starting before Christmas.

The long-running dispute over guaranteed working hours and pay had appeared to be settled in the autumn.

But the GMB union has said Sova Recycling, the firm which runs the five dumps for the city council, has failed to implement a promise of more hours.

Sova admitted there has been a delay in the contract but denies any agreement has been broken.

The GMB claimed the renewed industrial action was being taken because the extra work had been too long coming.

But officials said they had left time for further talks before the scheduled 22 December walk-out by more than 30 workers.

Spokesman Pete Davies added : "They feel there's nothing to lose but we've got a month to negotiate."

'Very concerned'

A spokesman for Sova told BBC Radio Sheffield the delay in the new contract was because it had to wait for a new licence from the Environment Agency for the changes.

Sheffield City Council cabinet member Councillor Jack Scott said he felt let down by both sides in the dispute.

"I'm very concerned to learn that Sova haven't yet delivered. I'm also quite disappointed with the GMB that their first reaction was to go back on strike," he said.

The latest dispute follows a number of strikes at the waste sites over the reduction in opening hours, which in turn affected workers' pay.