Wiltshire bin workers SUSPEND strike after improved pay offer from bosses
But the GMB Union says the offer is still "somewhat short"
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, who provide the service on behalf of Wiltshire Council, is "still someway short" of what staff feel they deserve.
GMB members in our region were due to start 14 days of industrial action on Monday (28th 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 28th February to 2nd 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.
In a statement, they've said:
"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."
Response from Wiltshire Council
Calling off the strike comes as many households in the Wiltshire Council area are due to see their collection days changing from next week too.
Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said:
“There will always be some teething issues when transitioning to a new collections rounds schedule, but fortunately the industrial action planned for week commencing 28 February has been suspended for now.
“However, if there are any bins not collected as scheduled then we ask people to leave them out and the teams will do their best to collect them the following day.
“We really thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this time and if timings do slip slightly, they can be assured the service schedule will get back on track very quickly.”