STREET sweepers in Waltham Forest have confirmed they are not to walk out without support from general union GMB.

A union source said: “The regional officer tells me Unite have decided not to take industrial action due to the fact they haven't got the full support of GMB.”

However, a protest rally is to be held at Waltham Forest town hall, in Forest Road, on Thursday (July 23) over claims of victimisation, staff cuts and issues over pay.

The street service contract in Waltham Forest was taken over by Kier from the council's in-house provider in June 2008 at a saving of about £600,000 per year.

Staff have claimed their workloads have more than tripled since then, from 20 streets each to 70, after agency staff were let go.

They also claim they have regularly suffered late payments and shortfalls in their wages.

Kier has always staunchly denied issues over wages but has never confirmed whether agency staff were removed.

The union source added: “There will be a mass rally in protest of the way people are being treated.

“We'll be at the town hall from 5.30pm.”

Kier has been the subject of a number of complaints since taking over the contract, as residents claimed their streets were repeatedly left unswept.

In June this year, it was confirmed the company has also received 185 notices to improve substandard work in the last 12 months, costing it a total of £9,250 in punitive deductions.

The Guardian is awaiting a statement from Kier.