Wiltshire bin workers SUSPEND strike after improved pay offer from bosses
But the GMB Union says the offer is still "somewhat short"
Last updated 25th Feb 2022
Bin workers across Wiltshire have suspended strike action planned for next week, after an improved offer from their employer.
However, the GMB Union says the new pay rate tabled by Hills Municipal Collections Ltd is "still someway short" of what staff feel they deserve.
GMB members in our region were due to commence 14 days of industrial action on Monday 28 February. The first week of these strikes has now been suspended by the Union, to allow its members to vote on whether they accept the latest offer, which was made earlier this week.
The ballot will run from 28 February to 2 March.
'Let’s not get too carried away'
Nicola Nixon, GMB Regional Organiser said: "The fact that Hills has placed an increased offer on the table is good, but let’s not get too carried away.
"It has to meet the expectations of our members and this offer is still somewhat short of their initial valuation of themselves and the pay rates they feel they deserve for their hard work.
"While it’s not quite there, I have to acknowledge that Hills have moved forward with this offer ... it’s just a shame they didn’t go that little bit further to perhaps make an acceptance result a foregone conclusion".
'The pay review offer provides a fair settlement'
Hills Municipal Collections has "welcomed" GMB's decision to suspend industrial action, saying it "averts disruption" to household waste collection services across Wiltshire.
"The pay review offer provides a fair settlement and is in line with comparable local pay reviews, inflation indexation and the current cost of living," the company added.