Bin workers have warned that they have “no choice” but to strike in the new year if they cannot agree to a pay rise with the council.

Representatives for the GMB Union have called on Chichester District Council to give workers a pay increase in line with that received by other bin workers at councils in the area.

The union has now warned that if their demands are not met, they will be issuing strike notices for the new year.

Gary Palmer, regional organiser for GMB, said: “All across the South coast and beyond, GMB members working in the waste and recycling sector have taken the praise and thanks they received for working through the pandemic and turned it into a pay rise that reflects their true value in the workplace.

“It is only right the hard and dirty work they do clearing and collecting our waste is translated into a decent pay rate for all.

“We intend to sit down with management next week, so let’s hope it leads to a serious offer we can present to members, but I guess that’s not our in our gift.

“What we do know is this matter must be resolved prior to Christmas, or we have no choice other than to issue strike notices for mid-January.”

The Argus: Bin collections could be disrupted should strikes take placeBin collections could be disrupted should strikes take place

GMB said that in a recent vote over 95 per cent of voters were in favour of strike action should they not be given a sufficient pay rise.

The union has been in discussions with the Chichester District Council since October over the pay rise. They are arguing that the current rise offered is lower than what has been given to bin workers for Brighton and Hove City Council and Adur and Worthing Borough Council.

In response to the strike action, Chichester District Councillor Penny Plant said: "We hugely value our waste, recycling and cleansing staff and the work that they do and so we are extremely disappointed that some members of staff have voted in favour of industrial action.

"Our waste, recycling and cleansing staff have already received between a 7.9% and 10 per cent pay rise this year, and they will be given an extra annual leave day from April 2023. We have also been carrying out a further review of their pay and have a meeting scheduled with the GMB Union to discuss this.

"Like everyone else, the council is finding the current financial climate incredibly challenging. We have made it clear to the unions that protecting vital community services and treating our staff equally and fairly are top priorities for us.

"We are committed to continuing talks with the union and hope for an early resolution of this matter. However, we also want to assure residents that we will do everything we can to minimise disruption should industrial action take place."

GMB announced that they would initially strike for two weeks in the middle of January unless “meaningful negotiations” take place regarding the pay of their members.