Council applies for contempt of court proceedings against Unite the Union

“The city council has applied for contempt of court proceedings against Unite the Union due to persistent evidence of a breach of the court order which the Union have agreed to and are required to comply with. 

“We are taking this step to ensure the safety of our city and the safety of our workforce, including those who are on strike. 

“Our injunction prevents the blocking of our refuse collection vehicles, both at our depots and on the streets. Despite writing repeatedly to Unite for several weeks to highlight what we believe to be clear breaches of the injunction the situation has worsened. 

“Since the injunction was granted, vehicles have been blockaded on roads to and from our depots, with Unite representatives and members stepping in front of, and even leaning against, moving heavy vehicles and blocking road junctions. 

“This is dangerous and a serious health and safety risk for the public, the protestors and our workers as well as causing delays to waste collections and to traffic around the city. 

“We have said all along that we support the right to peaceful protest and picketing and nothing in our court application today prevents or restricts that or prevents anybody from going on strike.  The injunction has ordered Unite to ensure all pickets and protests are done safely and lawfully. However nearly every day Unite representatives are blocking roads, slow walking in front of vehicles and abusing our workforce. 

“We will now go to court to ensure the safety of all involved and that the terms of the injunction – which has been agreed to by Unite – is adhered to.”