CAROLINE Lucas has called for resolution to the ongoing bin strike, highlighting the “deep-rooted problems” within the city’s waste and refuse service.
Rubbish continues to pile up on the streets of Brighton and Hove as the strike continue into its second week.
A ballot by the GMB union showed that 100 per cent of the members who voted were in favour of the walk out, which began on Tuesday, October 5.
As a result, Brighton’s Cityclean, recycling, commercial waste and HGV drivers will be on strike for two-weeks.
Caroline Lucas says she has spoken with representatives of Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC) to encourage dialogue in an attempt to break the negotiations deadlock.
The Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion said she has also been contacted by numerous constituents about the strike but explained she does not have a say in council matters.
The strike was triggered by a dispute over pay and working conditions.
GMB are calling on the council to settle an ongoing dispute around unilateral imposed daily changes and removal of drivers from long standing rounds.
Caroline Lucas said while “deeply unfair” on residents, the issues are not new.
“It is also equally unfair that there are such deep-rooted problems within the city's waste and refuse service, which leads to frequent missed collections and service disruption throughout the year,” she said.
“Councillors are doing their utmost to resolve the dispute, but I understand that what started as an operational issue has now moved on to pay - which was not included in the original ballot for industrial action.
“With the initial issues that caused the strike reportedly resolved I am told that council officers have been working on the newly raised pay dispute urgently and have met with the GMB to discuss this.
“I think it is right and fair for a pay review to take place to ensure that Cityclean drivers are properly renumerated, and from what I've been told I believe that BHCC are open to this.”
The MP also raised concerns that GMB representatives walked out of the most recent negotiations.
“It’s promising that the council has made two pay offers so far and it is right they should continue to listen the GMB if there are remaining concerns – I hope both sides will keep talking,” she said.
“Both BHCC and GMB need to take every opportunity to find a solution, limit the impact on residents and ensure this does not become a political football.”
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