Wiltshire bin strikes extended for a further two weeks
It means some collections will not be happening once again
Last updated 16th Mar 2022
It has been confirmed that workers from Wiltshire's waste contractor will be extending their industrial action.
GMB Union members from Hills Municipal Collections have been walking out due to a row over a pay, with plans to finish the strike by Monday (March 21st).
However, they are now going to be striking until at least April 2nd.
Wiltshire Council have also confirmed that recycling collections will be suspended until the week of April 4th.
Household and garden waste services will continue.
The local authority are asking people to not put out their blue lidded bins and black boxes until their next collection day from April 4th onwards.
When they do resume, waste crews will accept additional materials that don’t fit in blue lidded bins or black boxes.
They should be left in bags, crates etc next to the bin.
GMB TO BALLOT AGAIN
The GMB Union have said that there's a chance industrial action could come to an end before that date.
Tomorrow (Thursday 17th March) they will ballot members on a new improved pay offer from the company.
If GMB members vote to accept the offer, it will bring an end to the long-running dispute.
Nicola Nixon, GMB Organiser said:
“GMB members have stood firm and united throughout this dispute.
“We are pleased to have negotiated an improved offer from the company which we will be balloting our members on tomorrow.
“Ultimately, it will be down to the members whether this offer goes far enough for them to accept the offer and end the strike.
“We are also seeking reassurance from the company that if the members accept the offer there will be no reprisals against any of the workforce as a result of the strike.”
Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Waste, said:
“This further strike action by the GMB union is hugely frustrating and unfortunately we have no other option but to suspend recycling collection until 4 April. We apologise for the inconvenience that this will cause people. Two more weeks of strikes by the GMB are even more disappointing considering that UNITE and UNISON members have accepted the pay offer on the table from Hills Municipal Collections.
“We know residents will be equally frustrated and view the strike extension and suspension of recycling collection as a very unwelcome development, but collecting household waste has to be our priority. Doing a mix and match service with garden waste and recycling would be a very complicated and a logistical challenge. We know that a month’s worth, or even more, of recycling waste will start to mount up, so please do visit our household recycling centres if you need to – they are open and operating as normal.
“We hope we don’t see any of the challenging scenes we’ve seen at various picket lines at the depots recently and that those workers who aren’t involved in the industrial action are able to carry out their roles as safely and with as little disruption as possible, so that household waste collections can take place throughout the county.
“This ongoing dispute is between the GMB Union and Hills Municipal Collections and it’s in everyone’s best interests that it can be resolved as quickly as possible. We continue to thank residents for their patience during this time.”
You should continue to put out your household and garden waste bins out on your normal collection days, and if they aren’t emptied as scheduled then they will be the following day where possible.
Wiltshire Council are also encouraging people to use the Household Recycling Centres if they are unable to store more waste.
You can find out more about bin collections by going to Wiltshire Council's website.
POLICE INVESTIGATING AFTER VANDALISM
With the bin strikes ongoing, an act of vandalism has caused more disruption.
Overnight, the Churchfields depot in Salisbury was broken into, with around 30 waste collection vehicles having their tyres deflated.
Wiltshire Police is investigating the matter.
The incident meant that there was a delay to waste collection vehicles leaving the depot, causing more disruption to waste collection services, particularly for those in the south of the county.
Any household or garden waste collections not carried out today as a result will be prioritised for collection as soon as possible.
Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for waste, said:
“This is an act of selfish criminality, aimed at causing more disruption to our waste collection services at a time when they’re already under severe pressure.
“Our teams worked hard this morning to get some vehicles out of the depot and we thank them for their efforts, and I’m sure they will catch up on services quickly.
“We continue to thank people for their patience, which we know is being tested at the moment, but we’re working hard to limit the disruption being caused to our waste services.”