COVENTRY council workers accused their bosses yesterday of allowing “an epidemic of bullying.”  

A survey of the staff has revealed that 85 per cent have experienced bullying.

General union GMB says the council also has a backlog of grievances about bullying stretching back “several months.”

The union has called for a full and immediate independent investigation and says that failure to deal with the backlog of complaints “will lead to catastrophic breakdown of trust.”

GMB says the bullying epidemic is “raging through the town hall.”

The union says that the failure to deal with the grievances against bullying is “in direct contravention of the council’s grievance policy.”

GMB organiser Justine Jones said: “It’s no secret that there is an epidemic of bullying and intimidation within Coventry City Council.

“After raising these issues for months, hopefully we will at last see some action being taken.

“The council must commit to a full, independent investigation, and make sure the backlog of bullying grievances is dealt with urgently.

“Failure to do so will lead to catastrophic break down of trust between staff and management.”

The Morning Star requested comment from Coventry City Council but had not received a statement at the time of going to press.