REFUSE workers are going ahead with planned industrial action due to "barbaric" working conditions.

GMB Union says Eastbourne’s bin strike is set to go ahead today after the council issued a "misleading" public statement.

The union members working as waste collection HGV drivers will be striking today, January 7 and January 10 - with further dates to be announced.

Almost 50,000 households could be affected by the proposed action.

GMB met with council bosses on Wednesday, the council has since issued a statement that they proposed a seven per cent increase to pay for drivers.

It also proposed a rise in pay for SEESL staff - South East Environmental Services Limited - the company set up by the council to deliver refuse, as well as other "perks".

However, a spokesman for GMB said they offered drivers approximately £12.30 per hour, £1.20 less than the union's claim for £13.50 per hour and what it says is still considerably lower than the industry standard.

He also criticised the council for publishing the statement without a vote from the drivers.

He said: "Instead of waiting for drivers to vote on the new offer, the council made a public statement outlining the deal."

Declan MacIntyre, GMB Organiser, said: “All our drivers want is the going rate for HGV drivers – so they can make ends meet in an expensive part of the country.

"For the council to offer well below that shows they’re not serious about their workers and not serious about preventing disruption to 50,000 Eastbourne residents.

“For them to issue a misleading statement before their drivers have had time to vote on it shows a distinct lack of respect.

“The last thing these drivers want to do is strike – and they are so sorry about the impact this will have on the people of Eastbourne – but the barbaric working conditions they suffer leave them with no choice.”

The council has now responded stating that the union is demanding at 25 per cent increase.

A spokesman for the council said: "In response to the latest statement today, January 6, from the GMB Union we think it important to clarify the financial demands they are making.

"The GMB Union is demanding a 25 per cent increase in pay for drivers.

"We have offered a seven per cent rise for drivers and a three per cent rise for other SEESL staff.

"In 2019 when we took over the service, all staff transferred from Kier to SEESL.

"At the time of our takeover, all staff received a four per cent increase in pay. In 2020 pay was increased again, this time by 2.75 per cent.

"Additionally, there is a national pay award negotiation underway and the current offer is 1.75 per cent.

He added: "With the above in mind, we believe this latest offer of a seven per cent increase for drivers and three per cent for all other SEESL staff is very generous and hope it will be accepted.

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