RUBBISH bags have been seen piling up next to bins across the city as the dispute between the council and the GMB union continues.

Refuse workers walked out as part of industrial action on Tuesday amid a dispute over pay and working conditions with Brighton and Hove City Council.

Now in its fourth day, bags and cardboard boxes full of waste has built up in streets around Brighton and Hove.

Should the council and the GMB fail to come to an agreement to end the industrial action, the strike is set to continue for another ten days.

Residents could also face another fortnight of strike action afterwards, as the union announced a second series of strike dates yesterday.

GMB are calling on Brighton and Hove City Council to settle an ongoing dispute around unilateral imposed daily changes and removal of drivers from long standing rounds.

Addressing the policy and resources committee yesterday, council leader Phelim Mac Cafferty said that talks are "ongoing and at a sensitive stage."

He said: "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."

The council have apologised to residents for the disruption to services as the strike continues.

A spokesman for the council said: "Residents can get rid of their household waste and recycling at our household waste recycling sites, which are open throughout the strike.

"Our advice to residents during this time is wherever possible please flatten boxes, try to minimise waste and rinse and store recycling safely at home."

On Twitter, the Sussex branch of the GMB have said that the ball to resolve the dispute is in Cllr Mac Cafferty's court.

They said: "Put a proposal to us that's reasonable and fair, we will put that to our members and it can be resolved."

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