Union leaders claims housing contractor is holding “gun to their head” after de-recognised threat

There’s a new dispute in the battle between union leaders and Brighton and Hove City Council’s housing contractor.

Mears signed a 200 million pound contract to run the local authority’s housing repair’s service for 12 and half thousand homes in 2009.

But despite having day to day responsibility for dozens of former public sector workers the private firm has threatened to de-recognise leading trade union, the GMB.

The notice was issued by Mears after management at the company reacted angrily to what they say is the unions resistance to agree to a new contract.

The GMB argues this is only because the company has failed to adhere to a current contract during recent pay negotiations and redundancy programs.

Mears did not comment on the issue.

Latest TV’s James Dunham reports.