WALTHAM FOREST: Under fire street cleaning company invited to face critics

Kier has come under fire from members of the community over the past few months for doing a perceived below-par job.

And now Darren O’Grady, secretary of the Waltham Forest Trades Council, has demanded it hold an “open discussion” so questions can be put to managers of the embattled street service provider by the public.

He said: “If they want to challenge, I will meet them in a public debate, with residents, workforce, press and councillors “We have nothing to hide from Kier.”

A Kier spokeswoman said: Kier Street Services and Waltham Forest Council currently participate in regular public meetings in the form of Community Council Forums. Before any further public question and answer sessions can be considered, Kier and the Council will require more detailed information regarding the proposed structure, aims and reporting process of such a meeting.”

The calls for a public Q&A also follow claims by the Trades Council that Kier staff have been subjected to sexual harassment and bullying.

“This has been denied by Kier, much to the anger of Mr O’Grady.

He said: “I’m happy to go on record as saying that if Kier say they haven’t heard of these complaints, they are lying.

“If they think they are fabricated, I want to know why.”

Mr O’Grady has also accused Kier of cutting the number of staff and agency street sweepers, and criticised it for saying it has no evidence that littering and fly-tipping is on the rise.

The Kier spokeswoman added: “Kier takes any allegations concerning the well-being of our workforce extremely seriously. There have been no substantiated allegations of bullying or harassment reported to Kier Street Services.

“If any evidence is provided to us we will fully investigate the situation.”

Referring to reports that senior Kier staff had faced action over the claims, she added: “We can confirm that no member of staff has faced disciplinary action relating to these reported allegations.”