An enterprising bin man who was told he couldn’t wear shorts has gone to work in a kilt in protest.
Lee Moran, who works at the Hazel Court Household Waste centre as well as doing bin rounds in the city, said the ban is detrimental to his health in the soaring temperatures.
Lee, who earned a flood hero medal when he helped residents hit by the rising water in 2015, said: “About five years ago I was on a bin collection round – I was very hot.
“I had my trousers rolled up and was wearing a hi-viz vest. Someone from the council rang my manager and was told I couldn’t do the job dressed like that.
“Since then every summer it’s been a constant battle with management to review their policies regarding wearing shorts in hot weather.”
He’s been told the shorts ban is due to health and safety, but “they are not taking our health and wellbeing into consideration” during the heatwave.
Lee told YorkMix: “It’s a ridiculous situation. We are wearing ballistic cargo trousers that are the same issued to us in the winter.
“They are heavy, sweaty, and in a lot of cases ill fitting causing chafing and rashes.
“I do understand that in certain circumstances shorts are not appropriate due to risk of glass, needles and other sharp objects. But we feel that the council are living in the past.”
He came up with his novel protest after learning there was “nothing in the City of York Council mandate regards wearing a kilt”.
Lee even managed to fashion one in hi-viz material. “This is only meant to be a small protest in relation to the shorts situation,” he said.
He wasn’t just doing it for waste operatives – but for other outdoor council workers like gardeners and highways workers.
Having written to those in charge, he said he has since had a response saying the council will review the policy. “It’s gone pretty well,” he said.
We have asked City of York Council for an official response.
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