REPRESENTATIVES of the GMB and the council will meet again tomorrow morning to reach a resolution to the ongoing bin strike, as the Green administration calls in waste removal contractors to clear the worst of the city’s rubbish.

The council announced they have made a "serious offer for a serious situation" to the union, which includes a substantial pay rise for some of the lowest paid workers across the council, as well as the Cityclean service.

However, following safety concerns from a number of fires reported at overflowing communal bins, waste removal contractors have been appointed to begin clearing side waste from the worst affected streets and from bin storerooms.

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In a statement, the council cited health and safety concerns for the need to clear waste as soon as possible, including a number of fires started at overflowing bins, rubbish blocking pavements and vermin being attracted to the waste.

The contractors are set to begin work early tomorrow morning, will use specialist equipment to clear away the large volume of refuse, and then will work alongside Cityclean staff to help get the city clean as quick as possible.

The news has prompted outrage by the Sussex branch of the GMB ahead of talks, however, who accused the council on Twitter of "undermining the strike rather than sorting out the dispute."

The news of talks comes as the twelfth day of industrial action concludes, with the first fortnight of the strike due to end on Monday.

However, residents will only enjoy a brief respite from strike action, as a five-week long walk out is set to begin from next Thursday (October 21), if no agreement is reached.

A council spokesperson said: "This has been a lengthy and intensive negotiation process to get to this point.

"The agreement we’re trying to reach is a serious offer for a serious situation. None of us want to see the piles of rubbish mounting up and to see the city we all love and care about in such a sad situation, but it’s vitally important that the council’s negotiation team work through the financial and legal implications of any agreement.

"The council fully respects the decision made by some Cityclean staff to strike and we’re keen to address the issues that have been raised by staff, protect the health and safety of our residents and get the city clean as soon as possible. The use of contractors has only been taken to address the growing and serious health and safety issues.

"We hope that the GMB will continue the discussions so that we and they are able to agree a proposal which can then be taken to the council’s Policy & Resources committee for early next week."

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