GREEN councillors have allegedly asked bin workers to take a break from strike action to clean up the streets ahead of the weekend’s half-marathon.

The Brighton branch of the community tenants’ union ACORN claimed on social media that the administration had approached the union to ensure streets could be tidied ahead of the event, due to take place on Sunday.

In a tweet, the organisation said that the council was “so out of touch,” and said: “It’s up to the Greens to get our streets tidy again by listening to the GMB.”

In a response to ACORN’s online post, the GMB said they would be “happy to do that”, provided a proposal is put forward that is “reasonable and fair.”

“The ball is in Phelim Mac Cafferty’s court,” they said.

The accusation comes as Brighton and Hove faces its fourth day of industrial action by refuse workers amid an ongoing dispute over pay and working conditions.

Should the dispute not be resolved, strike action is set to last for a fortnight, with a second two-week long strike announced by the union yesterday.

Workers are set to walk out again from October 21 should the GMB and the council fail to come to an agreement.

A ballot for strike action by the GMB last month was unanimous, with refuse workers voting 100 per cent in favour of industrial action amid claims of poor treatment, inadequate equipment supplied by management and the council, and a lack of staffing resources.

GMB branch secretary Mark Turner said: “The council have been told time and time again about the service issues and detriment to our members’ health and well-being resulting around tinkering with well-established rounds and moving of HGV drivers outside of their own council formal procedures, yet they ignored our members and workplace reps’ complaints, allowing it to go on anyway.”

The union have called on council leader Phelim Mac Cafferty to meet with them to resolve the dispute.

In a statement at the policy and resources committee yesterday, Cllr Mac Cafferty said: “Councillors are not involved in the day-to-day management of drivers at Cityclean, but this week we have attended talks as we are keen to listen and ensure concerns of staff are heard.

“We want to help resolve the dispute raised by the GMB with the employer.

“I want to thank residents for their patience over the disruption. We also know from contact with residents, both since becoming the leadership of the council and in opposition, that people in our city want to see a bin collection service that works.

“The desire for a well-functioning waste and recycling system is one that we share, and we hope talks can lead to this outcome, both for residents and for staff.”

The council has been approached for comment.

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