IN the wake of many comments on social media about Thurrock Council workers being seen going about their tasks around the borough and breaching the coronavirus public health guidelines issued by the authority workers have challenged council chiefs and forced changes to working practices.

They will now travel in their own vehicles to the routes where they are collecting waste and carrying out other tasks. And council vehicles will be deep-cleaned regularly.

Thurrock Nub News has highlighted several instances of council environmental workers sharing cabs on trucks, working closely together in group and interacting with the public. Read our stories here.

Workers themselves told us they were unhappy at some of the things they were being asked to do but they had been told to get on their jobs regardless!

Thurrock Council declined to respond to requests from Thurrock Nub News for an explanation, but on Friday council leader Rob Gledhill was featured in a press release saying: ""You will see our officers out working hard keeping the streets, parks and cemeteries clean and tidy, collecting our bins and making sure the roads and pavements are safe and open.

"No matter what people might think this is vitally important work and I would hope those council officers doing it have support from the community.

"I'd like to applaud these workers who are going out every day to make sure that our borough remains clean, clear and safe throughout the coronavirus situation and to all council officers providing critical care for those residents most in need or working tirelessly behind the scenes."

Read the full release here.

Neither the council, nor Cllr Gledhill, addressed the issues we – and the public – had raised about the safety of staff.

However, today (Tuesday, 31 March) the Unite union stepped up to the plate and said it had demanded – and won – changes from the council.

A statement from the union says: "Waste disposal workers providing services to Thurrock Council have forced their employer to introduce social distancing after Unite,

Britain's leading union threatened action.

"The essential workers raised concerns that their working practices meant they were unable to social distance during the current health crisis whilst providing waste disposal services to the residents of Thurrock.

"In correspondence with the council, Unite regional officer Onay Kasab warned that the union would "support any and all members who refuse to begin work."

"Thurrock Council has now agreed to Unite's proposals which include:

Social distancing - employees can go to the waste collection route in their own cars rather than going to the council depot and travel in waste vehicles. The employer will pay the mileage and ensure parking exemptions.

Vehicles and equipment to be deep cleaned regularly.

Mr Kasab added: "After our members raised their serious concerns about social distancing and their union made clear it would support any and all members who refused to work, the council quickly acted. Thurrock council are to be congratulated for acting speedily to resolve the workers' genuine concerns.

"More than ever council residents are realising the importance of these essential workers who keep our streets clean. The workers' safety is paramount, and solidarity delivers fairness at work. At every turn Unite will stand up to employers who unnecessarily put the union's members in harm's way during this unprecedented health crisis."

Thurrock Council was asked by Thurrock Nub News for a response to Unite's statement, and given time to make it before publication of this story, but it has not responded.