Covanta Energy signs agreement with GMB Union as company plans to build Cheshire Energy-from-Waste Facility

There is a commitment to work together on employee relations, safety and environment issues that are important to those who will build and operate the plants as well as the local communities the plants will serve says GMB.

GMB and Covanta Energy, the world's leading Energy-from-Waste provider (EfW), have signed a groundbreaking agreement which will see the two organisations working closely together on all of Covanta's projects.

Covanta, which is developing a number of facilities across the UK, has linked up with the GMB to mutually support each other through the development and operation of its facilities. The cornerstones of the agreement are a commitment to safety, the environment, a successful future for Covanta and the right of Covanta employees to be collectively represented by the GMB.

The agreement will come to the fore later this year when Covanta expects to start construction of its Ince Park energy-from-waste facility in the north west of England. During construction of the facility up to 566 new jobs will be created, and the agreement with the GMB will help to ensure an efficient, safe and environmentally secure site.

Gary Smith, GMB National Secretary for energy said: "The national recognition agreement with Covanta is an important one for GMB members. The agreement is about more than employee relations, important as they are. At the core of our relationship are commitments to work together over safety and environment, issues that are important to those who will build and operate the plants as well as the local communities the plants will serve."

Following the signing of the agreement Covanta will now brief the relevant GMB Region about the objectives of any of its projects, including the environmental and wider economic implications of the development. This will allow both GMB and Covanta to agree on areas of common interest and concern both during the development and operation of facilities. The two organisations will work together to ensure that during construction the highest standards are achieved in relation to the environment and safety. There is also a commitment to ensure that employee relations on site are good and GMB will be the sole union represented for collective bargaining purposes on any Covanta site."

Malcolm Chilton, Managing Director of Covanta Energy, said: "This is a really important milestone in Covanta's history in the UK. As a company we are committed to operating our facilities to the highest standards, especially with respect to the environment and safety. We look forward to working closely with the GMB to help us realise these objectives."

GMB trade union represents over 620,000 people in the United Kingdom working in every part of the economy and is organised in 34 of the UK's biggest 50 companies.