Wiltshire bins strike back on
Residents facing disruption to waste services
Last updated 3rd Mar 2022
The bins strike set to hit around 220,000 homes in Wiltshire is back on again.
Industrial action was due to take place this week at Hills Municipal Collections bases in Trowbridge, Calne and Salisbury but was called off after the council contractor put forward a new offer.
The GMB Union has now rejected that with two weeks of industrial action planned beginning on Monday 7th March.
A spokesperson for Hills said:
“This is a very disappointing outcome, we have moved our offer considerably over the previous weeks and we firmly believe that the pay offer provides a fair settlement in relation to inflation and indexation, which we know is impacting the cost of living.
The offer is in line or ahead of comparable local pay awards and it provides positive certainty in a time of increasing volatility."
Gary Palmer, GMB Regional Organiser, said:
“It’s a shame, because we thought we were getting really close to an offer our members could consider in good faith.
“Their problem is that every offer they make which falls short of our members’ self-valuation, makes them angrier and more unhappy with how they are being treated.
“We have offered a solution and it’s now the responsibility of Hills to come to the table and accept that, otherwise they have to take ownership of the disruption to services and the effect this will have on homes and businesses across the county.”
Meanwhile Hills said the number of union members who are likely to strike has been reduced following UNISON members accepting the pay deal whilst it is also awaiting Unite Union’s response to the offer which is due next week
Wiltshire Council says its working with Hills to keep disruption to a minimum with residents advised to put put waste, recycling and garden waste bins out as normal.
Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Waste, said:
“Our new waste collection rounds have gone really smoothly so far and I’d like to thank residents for their support during this transition. We will do everything we can to limit the disruption caused by the industrial action. We have contingency plans in place in case of a situation like this, which we hope will help to keep disruption for residents to a minimum.
“If there are any bins not emptied as scheduled then we ask people to leave them out and the teams will do their best to collect them the following day.
“The industrial action is out of our direct control and is a matter for the GMB and Hills Municipal Collections. However, I know that Wiltshire residents will share my bitter disappointment that we face an elevated risk of disruption to services due to this revised pay offer being rejected by the GMB.
“We would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this time.”
If there are any significant disruptions to services people should visit the council’s website or keep an eye on their Twitter feed – https://twitter.com/wiltscouncil.