Bin strike to go ahead in Wiltshire after workers vote for action
It could affect more than 250,000 homes
A bin strike will go ahead across Wiltshire after GMB members voted for industrial action.
Refuse operatives, loaders and drivers will walk out on February 28th in a move that will affect more than 250,000 homes.
Management at Hill Waste Solutions, which covers Trowbridge, Salisbury and Calne, imposed a 2% pay award.
The GMB union's 70 members are "furious" as they say it amounts to a real-terms pay cut.
A ballot was set up which 85% of workers voted in, 98% of those voted to strike.
Nicola Nixon, GMB Regional Organiser, said:
"We have today served notice on the employer and will at this point now be working with members arranging pickets for the first strike day.
"Time is running out if Hills want to get back around the table to discuss our members pay expectations of a seven per cent pay increase before any possible major disruption of waste and recycling collections for more than 250,000 homes.
“We can’t negotiate on our own and despite GMB having the largest membership, Hills have done nothing to make us think that’s going to change.
“We were told at our last meeting that there is an improved offer, but that they won't tell us what it is yet.
“It’s game playing - pure game playing.”