Disruptions to bin collections are still expected despite garbage workers agreeing to a pay rise of up to 27% to end the strike.
Curbside collections in Wealden resumed today after members of the GMB union accepted an improved offer from Biffa, who run the service for Wealden District Council.
The strikers were demanding better pay before their walkout scheduled for Monday, April 25.
The strike began a week later, on Monday May 2, after last-minute talks between the council and GMB.
The strike was originally scheduled to last two weeks, but lasted more than a month before an agreement was reached.
The total value of the supply is worth between 24 and 27%, depending on the job occupied by the workers.
Wealden District Council said all scheduled rubbish, recycling and yard waste collections would resume on Friday, teams may not be able to complete some rounds.
“Rest assured that if your road is not collected on the scheduled day, they will return to complete before moving on to work the next day,” a council spokesman said.
“For this reason, if your road is not emptied, please leave the bin ready for collection.”
The council said the crews suffered “verbal abuse” while touring.
“As Biffa restarts all collections, there may be residual disruption to services,” the spokesperson added.
“If you contact us or use your local county council, we kindly ask that you be kind and patient with each other and with the staff.
“This follows recent reports of verbal abuse. These staff are not employed by Biffa and are not involved in the strike in any way.
“They’re just working as hard as they can to help manage your requests and ensure you have a facility where you can dispose of your waste while collection services return to normal.”
Following the agreement to end the strike, Gary Palmer, GMB Regional Organiser, said: “Our members have managed to win a massive pay rise, but it’s just a reward for hard work and very important that they accomplish every day.
“Trash collection is one of the most visible services provided by a council, but it’s also one of the least appreciated until it stops.”
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Source: www.theargus.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-06-16 10:59:42
