PLANS for a trash can strike have been put on hold by an 11-hour wage offer to workers.
Wealden District Council garbage collectors were due to stand down for a week of industrial action from Monday but were put on hiatus after Biffa, the council’s street-cleaning contractor, offered the union a pay deal .
However, GMB regional organizer Gary Palmer said the deal fell short of members’ expectations.
He said: “Biffa’s offer is certainly well below our members’ expectations, but we still felt it was fair to put the strike on hold while our members consider it.
“However, we will also be releasing a new week of strike dates following the still scheduled May 2 walkout, in case Biffa continues to insist that this is their last offer.
“Following the long-standing dispute between Adur and Worthing, it should be clear that GMB will support our members all the way if they have to go on an attrition strike to get what they deserve.
“Despite Biffa’s closing of negotiations, GMB remains available should it wish to return to the table if its opening and closing offer is rejected.”
The proposed strike comes after a week-long garbage strike in Adur and Worthing. A deal reached in recent days will see some garbage workers receive a pay rise of more than 20%.
A spokesperson for Wealden District Council said: “The council has been advised by its waste collection and street cleaning contractor, Biffa, that following a meeting with representatives of the GMB union today today the union agreed to delay the strike for a week.
“It allows their members to vote on a wage offer made by Biffa.
“The strike will therefore not begin as initially announced on April 25.
“For the week of April 25, all litter collection and street cleaning services will operate as normal, so please continue to take out your bins on regular collection days.
“We will provide further updates on this on our website and via social media as soon as possible.
“We would also like to thank our residents for their understanding during this time.”
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Source: www.theargus.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-04-22 16:09:50
