Veolia takes legal action against Unite

A waste management firm is taking legal action against a leading trade union involved in a long-running dispute over union recognition.

Veolia said it has started legal action against Unite and its general secretary Sharon Graham, claiming defamation.

The company said the move followed months of protests and “smear campaigns” by the union and attempts to harm its business.

Since August 2024, dozens of Unite members based in Sheffield have been on strike in pursuit of union recognition, which Veolia claimed included a campaign of defamation.

The company said Unite’s actions seek to pressure it into breaking an existing union recognition agreement in place at its Sheffield site with the GMB.

A Veolia spokesperson said: “We do not take this legal action lightly, but we must stand up against Unite’s excessive tactics that are in total contrast to the quality of our industrial relations in the UK.

“Despite working closely with five trade union partners across the UK, including Unite, we find ourselves targeted by this defamatory campaign.

“We will always support good industrial relations but we will not allow anyone to attack our business, our reputation, our colleagues or our partners with baseless accusations.”

A Unite spokesperson said: “Unite completely and utterly refutes any allegation of defamation made by Veolia and we will not be scared off by yet more union-busting legal threats.

“From the start, this has been a campaign to allow our members’ democratic right to be represented by the union of their choice – something Veolia has sought to prevent all along.

“We have been clear that we are happy to share recognition on the Lumley Street site with other unions and reached this agreement with Veolia before Christmas, only for them to withdraw it at the last moment.

“The decision on recognition, and the ability to end this dispute, rests solely with Veolia. Unite will continue its campaign until Veolia agrees to our legitimate aim of recognition.”