THE CARMARTHENSHIRE branch of Unison is accusing Carmarthenshire County Council of dragging its feet reaching a trade union recognition agreement between Unison, GMB and Unite trade unions and Cwm Environmental.
Unison is calling for Trade Union Recognition Agreement (TURA) with Cwm Environmental a company which is 100% owned by Plaid led Carmarthenshire County Council.
In a press release a spokesperson for Unison said: “In response we have faced obfuscation, opposition and delaying tactics from the company and the council. As a result, our patience is running thin and hence we feel the need to go public on this issue.
“The TURA would be for Cwm to recognise Unison, GMB and Unite (local authority recognised trade unions) and then we would be able to negotiate on behalf of our Cwm members regarding pay, terms and conditions etc.
“But here lies the problem Cwm which is wholly owned by the council, but the company’s pay, terms and conditions are inferior to that of the council.
“We think the company was set up many years ago by the council with the intention of getting business through being able to charge less for the service they provided due to employees being on inferior pay, terms and conditions than the council.
“While negotiations for TURA have begun (slowly) it would also be true to say that the company and the council have been dragged to kicking and screaming to the negotiation table. We think the answer is above as to why this is the case.
“It is clear to us that Cwm Environmental are controlled by the council aside from the fact that many council employees are on the board of the company when we have complained to the council about Cwm’s behaviour towards Unison there has been immediate changes. We hear a lot of talk about integrity, openness, and transparency and of wanting to work with the trade unions, but this is another example of where the council do not feel it is in their interests they do not cooperate.
“The company’s managers tell our members they must do things like the council because they are owned by the council whereas the council tell us that the company is independent of the council. It cannot be both and the reality is Cwm does what it is told by the council.
“We have serious concerns about how our members are being treated by Cwm management and we have serious concerns about the decision making of management and their HR department. Our members think that if they must do what the council does, they should have the same pay, terms, and conditions as the council, and we agree with this. The council need to be open and explicitly state whether they are in favour of a TURA and if so, order Cwm to get on with agreeing one immediately.
Mark Evans, Branch Secretary Carmarthenshire County UNISON Branch said: “There should not be one rule (trade union recognition) for the council and another for Cwm. Clearly, we wish to improve the pay, terms, and conditions of our members but we can also save the company money by offering advice before expensive equipment is bought, we can advise and improve Health and Safety and where members feel listened to and consulted through their trade unions this will tend to be a happier more productive workforce.
“Stop playing for time and get on with agreeing a TURA and stop doing things on the cheap.”
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