Something Stinks at Folkstone Road, and it’s Not the Refuse Vans

The pay dispute that has dominated relationships between the council and the refuse workers has eclipsed a longer running and much more disturbing issue.

The wholly male workforce had members, allegedly, subjected to threats of violence and sexual assault. We covered this earlier, (link).

The union and the support group inform us that they feel that the whole matter has been brushed under the carpet. The manager responsible was allowed to move on to a management position in another authority.

Newham, it seems, have conducted such enquiries as they intend to do and consider the matter closed.

Not so the Metropolitan Police who are actively seeking the said ex-manager who appears to have disappeared. When they catch up with him, he will be facing charges of a very serious nature.

Threats of sexual assault against men is the stuff of humour. That is, to everyone except the men concerned. There are several men who have had their lives and relationships blighted because a Newham manager, (allegedly), assaulted and threatened Newham staff members. This took place, we are told, on Newham premises over the course of several years.

The injury was compounded because they felt that they were not being listened to, that they were abandoned by senior management, that their reports were being ignored or dismissed.

This may yet become an embarrassment for the mayor as and when the allegations are fully examined in a criminal court.

Councillors have an opportunity to begin to build bridges with their staff. The Refuse Workers’ Support Group has asked for a councillor-led inquiry into the affairs at Folkstone Road. This has so far been ignored.

We wonder, will some of those councillors who champion trades unions, (at least when it fits in with their own personal ambitions), now respond to the call from the Unite trade union for a member led inquiry into the allegations at Folkstone Road, if only to ensure that such things never happen again?