Brighton council urged to make changes at troubled bin depot

Union members at the Cityclean site in Hollingdean, Brighton, have made threats to stab and attack their coworkers, with a samurai sword, nun-chucks, knives and other weapons discovered on site, a new report states.

Other staff members are subjected to racism, homophobia, misogyny, bullying and other forms of aggression.

GMB representative protect particular members, and other allies, from disciplinary action but leave other union members without any support at all, the inquiry found.

The report by Aileen McColgan, published today, heard from 70 witnesses at the depot over a three-month period.

Ms McColgan has issued ten recommendations to deal with the toxic behaviour.

They include ceasing to use member appeal panels comprising councillors to deal with disputes and dismissals, a review of any agreements between Cityclean and the GMB,  time limits are implemented in which the early stages of disciplinary allegations are addressed to avoid delay tactics and that an investigation into Cityclean’s recruitment procedures is undertaken.

Aileen McColgan has made ten recommendations to fix the problems (Image: Andrew Gardner/The Argus)

Others include changes to the relationship between the city council and the GMB,  making sure union reps agree to comply with the city council’s behavioural framework as a precondition of involvement in any disciplinary, grievance or similar processes,  and that standards of appropriate behaviour be imposed in all meetings.

A number of recommendations were made to discipline particular individuals who have not yet been named, so cannot be published.

Council chief executive Will Tuckley, who joined the council in May, has already written to Cityclean staff reassuring them “every action to change the behaviour and culture at the service will be taken”. 

READ MORE: Brighton Cityclean depot: Full report into suicide, drugs and violence

He said: “Many people came forward to give evidence and I’m extremely grateful to them and Aileen McColgan KC for carrying out the inquiry.  

“Their bravery will mean the toxic culture at Cityclean being finished for good and the service will be a safer, happier and calmer place to work for everyone, with our residents and businesses getting the services they deserve.

“I have today written to the GMB about the need for us to work together on the recommendations, and in joining me to root out these horrendous behaviours that have mired the service for many years.”