Bin depot workers say they will strike if they cannot agree changes to working practices with the council.

GMB union members of the Cityclean service at the Hollingdean bin depot voted in favour of industrial action with the potential for strikes as they negotiate changes to their work with Brighton and Hove City Council.

It comes after members of the union were at the centre of a report into racism, sexism and homophobia which pervaded the culture at the depot.

Lib Whitfield, GMB senior organiser, said: “GMB members are concerned about a number of issues in the consultation and lack of process clarification.

“We reached out to the council before moving to a formal ballot to avoid any potential dispute escalation affecting members and residents of Brighton and Hove. GMB has met with the council and has further talks planned, so we decided not to issue a strike notice to allow for these talks to continue.

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“We have committed to work with the council to ensure the best resolution of our members' concerns and to avoid any action.

"GMB hope to resolve members' concerns without any industrial action but members have protected themselves through normal industrial processes by voting for action as a last resort, should they need.”

Ninety two per cent of workers at the depot voted in favour of industrial action at the depot with the potential for strike action should negotiations with the council fail.

Members say they have concerns about new processes that could be implemented at the depot.

The issue comes after a report into the culture at the bin depot uncovered racism, sexism and homophobia.

Members of the GMB tried to blame another employee’s heart attack on their manager and in another incident threatened to stab one of their colleagues, an inquiry found.

One employee even took a samurai sword, nun chucks, knives and other weapons to work while the investigation was already under way, the report states.