Hastings and Rother bin strike called off after deal

GMB say members in East Sussex have accepted a pay offer from Biffa Municipal Ltd, ending the dispute and scrapping the proposed bin strike.

The deal will see binmen receive a pay increase of between 11 and 19.5 per cent depending on their job role, as well as a guaranteed bonus payment of £500 to £600 before April 1.

Frank Macklin, GMB regional organiser said: "Well done to every GMB member for getting this pay deal across the line.

"It was only through their solidarity and strength that we were able to properly make the case for a proper pay rise that truly reflects the hard work that they put in on a daily basis.

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“To be clear, the union believed that these members warranted a larger pay deal, but our members voted to accept the improved tabled offer, thus calling off the strike and carrying on working hard to deliver a very successful service in the Hastings and Rother areas as they always do.

“Management can though expect the same again next year and the year after that, as this workforce will continue to demand respect and better pay for the difficult and dirty work they do.”

Elsewhere in the county, binmen will walk out across Adur and Worthing for 14 days from March 14 in a dispute over pay and working conditions.

Brighton and Hove saw a bin strike last year

The members, who work as refuse, streets and recycling operatives and drivers, are demanding an uplift in all grades, in addition to increases in allowance rates for overtime and shift patterns.

They are also calling for a review of operating and management practices.

An Adur and Worthing spokesman said the proposed strike action was disappointing.

He said: "We're very disappointed that a small number of our staff have voted to strike.

"The GMB has refused to explain to us what the issues of its members are, so we are still unclear as to why the strike has been called and how it can be avoided.

"We would encourage the GMB to tell us what the issues are, so that we can try to resolve them to prevent the lives of residents being disrupted.

"In the meantime, we will continue working on our current review of the service to ensure our staff have fair pay, terms and conditions and the best possible working environment."

Biffa have been approached for comment.