Milton Keynes Council is working with trade unions and waste contractor Serco to ensure refuse workers are kept 'safe' after several allegations were made.
Last week, MKFM exclusively revealed that two of Serco's drivers died after testing positive for COVID-19. There had been an outbreak of the virus amongst staff, which resulted in 40% of its workforce either being off sick or having to self-isolate.
Since then, allegations have been made by workers, but are currently just hearsay. Milton Keynes Council, alongside the trade unions, are working to establish the facts.
The Serco Yard, in Old Wolverton, is where refuse workers start and end their shifts. Safety measures have been put in place by the company, including sanitising stations and temperature checks, but workers claim that in certain places, including the smoking shelter at the start of the day, social distancing can be difficult.
Workers have also shared concerns about the lack of social distancing within refuse teams, which usually consists of around four people.
Employees have reported that teams can allegedly change daily, with one former worker telling MKFM "there are no group bubbles".
Previous allegations had been made, as reported by another local media outlet, that staff members had not been self-isolating due to concerns of missing out on wages.
None of these claims were supported by evidence, but Cllr Emily Darlington, Cabinet Member for the Public Realm, stated on 12th January that these allegations would be investigated by Milton Keynes Council.
Yesterday (20/1), the Leader of Milton Keynes Council reassured residents that the local authority is working alongside trade unions and Serco itself to ensure that workers are kept safe.
Cllr Pete Marland, Leader, said: "Serco are a private business and they have their responsibilities under the law to make sure that their staff are protected and that they are COVID-safe. They've been telling us that all of those procedures are being followed and, I think, we are looking at that and will make sure that all staff are safe.
"We're working with the trade unions, who represent the staff, to make sure that workers can report anything that they feel is out of the ordinary or they don't like."
He continued: "Obviously their working conditions are [that] they're in a van of four people, so it is difficult but it just shows there are a lot of people out there who are doing jobs that we say [are] essential work, things like building, people in nurseries, people in supermarkets. It is really a difficult time, and particularly with the new variant of COVID which is more easily transmissible, it does show that the people who are going out and delivering essential work on behalf of people who can stay home, they are effectively putting their lives at risk and unfortunately two of our colleagues, people from the city, have died. That is very sad, and we will make sure that everything is being done by Serco to keep them safe."
The Leader added that he, alongside Milton Keynes Council, has received some serious allegations regarding the waste contractor.
These claims have not been substantiated, and there is currently no evidence to support them. But the council says that workers can share their concerns with their trade unions anonymously so matters can be looked into.
Cllr Marland added: "There are best practice rules and Serco have always said to us [MK Council], as the contract manager, that they are sticking to that. There is also a huge gap of difference between what people are told and what people do on a day-to-day basis when they are having to do their job, and that's why I think it's really important that the trade unions are involved."
Since last week's announcement regarding the employee deaths, Serco has stated, just like Milton Keynes Council, that safety is the company's priority.
Mark Sturgeon, Senior Contract Manager, issued a statement on 12th January and said: "I would like to reassure the local community that our first priority is the safety of all our employees. We are taking all appropriate measures in line with Government guidelines. In addition, our workplaces and activities are risk assessed and we carry out regular reviews to ensure the highest standards are maintained.”
