Two refuse collection workers have passed away after both testing positive for COVID-19, MKFM can reveal.
MKFM was contacted by a source who claimed that there had been an outbreak amongst staff members who work for Serco, which is Milton Keynes Council's waste contractor. They added that a number of staff had to self-isolate, potentially resulting in delays to bin collection.
It has since been confirmed that there has been an outbreak amongst the city's refuse workers, and two drivers have sadly died.
Mark Sturgeon, Senior Contract Manager, said: "Sadly we have recently lost two of our colleagues on our Milton Keynes team to COVID-19. Our deepest condolences go out to their families and friends. Both colleagues worked as drivers on the contract but within separate teams. They will both be sorely missed by all who knew and worked with them."
Following the tragic news, Serco has stated that they take employee safety very seriously. Mark Sturgeon added: "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."
It has since been reported by another local media outlet that there are allegations Serco staff members are not self-isolating due to concerns that they will miss out on their wages.
A worker told the MK Citizen how staff are allegedly only paid for the "first two periods of self-isolating but not for any more".
Cllr Emily Darlington, Cabinet Member for the Public Realm, has today (12/1) told the community that these allegations will be investigated.
She said: "We are urgently investigating these allegations, which are wholly unexpected. We take the safety of MK’s key workers very seriously and all our suppliers are expected to have proper plans and precautions in place to deliver essential council services safely during the pandemic.
"We are also rolling out testing for frontline key workers, including Serco employees, to help identify people who may be asymptomatic carriers of the virus and to break these chains of transmission."
