IN the wake of Thurrock Nub News' report on alleged unsafe working conditions at Thurrock Council's Oliver Close environmental depot, a worker there has come out to rubbish council claims that everything there is OK.

Our exclusive report, launched with a live Facebook post from outside the gates of the depot on Tuesday (29 December) morning, reflected whistleblowers' claims that Covid-19 was 'running rife' within the depot with many workers having tested positive for the bug.

It was further alleged that middle and senior management were staying away from the depot rather than leading from the front line – leaving workers feeling unsupported and at risk.

Thurrock Council denied the bulk of claims, but did concede service levels were being made more difficult to maintain because of a decrease in the number of available staff. On the same day its environment team shut down its civic refuse tip because of a shortage of staff.

The council also vehemently denied that there was a failing in the council's unique test and trace system and strenuously put forward the view that any suggestion of a cover up by the council of the true situation at the site was false.

However, our report brought forth a number of messages from staff within the departments concerned, thanking Nub News for publishing the story, which also contained criticism of the Unite union for not doing enough to protect its members.

Unite has declined to comment on the record either before or after publication of our report, though one union representative has confirmed there is 'substance' to the concerns of workers' and their families but the union is trying to work with the council through negotiation, rather than direct conflict.

The union is currently engaged in a battle with the council over what it claims are savage cuts to its members' pay and terms and conditions.

The view of a number of the workers is encapsulated in a written statement we received. The author is known to us but we have agreed to keep the name secure because of fears of bullying by management – even though the council has a stated whistleblowing policy that says workers' rights will always be protected.

The worker wrote: "I have worked for the council for more than four years during which I have seen a massive decline in staff morale and seen a huge increase in bullying from management to its staff.

"Managers use titles of groups and associations which they used to be associated with to try and scare the workers.

"Staff report this to management and to HR but nothing ever gets done and they constantly brush it under the carpet. They only look after themselves and couldn't care less about the workers who do the hard graft on a daily basis while they sit in a cosy office and refuse to come out and help.

"During this pandemic employees have been forced into work by management even if a member of the crew has returned a positive test or have been told to isolate by NHS due to family testing positive.

"If we didn't agree to come in they would deduct pay and couldn't care about how you or your family are.

"I know they owe people money who had to self-isolate even though they provided an isolation note but the council didn't care and still deducted days' pay. And they have threatened them with disciplinary action if they refuse to turn up!

"No masks or gloves were provided until seven months into the pandemic in which crews were still being asked by management to go out with four people in one lorry.

"Staff at high risk are also being told to work in groups with other high risk workers.

"There is an element of 'if your face fits'. Some workers on the street cleaning team have been allowed to isolate at home, and office staff have been told to work from home.

"But the waste collection service is right at the sharp end and they are told they have to go out regardless."

Thurrock Nub News has invited Thurrock Council to comment on the remarks, though its communications department is closed today (Thursday, 31 December). The council has also said it will not respond to short notice questions from Thurrock Nub News, regardless of the importance of the issue.

As and when we receive a response from the council – or the Unite union, we will publish it straight away.