Sandwell bin workers to strike as pay deal rejected

Refuse workers in Sandwell are to go on strike after union members voted to reject a new pay offer.

The GMB union said crews, who are employed by Serco, would take action for nine days in June.

It had suspended action while members considered a new deal, but the union said that was rejected.

Serco urged the union to suspend any action while discussions were ongoing, adding it would try to minimise disruption if strikes went ahead.

The latest announcement will see strikes between 5 June and 16 June, which are expected to affect street collections, local tips and waste transfer sites, among other operations.

GMB organiser Justine Jones said staff were were facing a "real terms pay cut in the midst of the worst cost of living crisis in a generation".

"The workers are clear - Serco need to get back around the table with an offer that properly reflects their value before it's too late," she said.

The union also warned that it planned to table further strike dates if there was no improvement on the pay offer.

A spokesperson for Sandwell Council said: "We will be working hard to ensure that any disruption is kept to an absolute minimum and we urge Serco to work with its employees and the trade unions to find a resolution to the dispute."

The council said it would ensure residents would be kept updated on the proposed strike schedule, adding it hoped a "resolution can be found as soon as possible".

Serco Senior Contract Manager Tony Marston said: "It is always our intention to work collaboratively with our trade union partners in line with our recognition agreements."

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