Somerset bin strike: ‘Crunch’ talks result in ‘improved’ pay offer for GMB refuse workers as strike postponed

Refuse workers who were set to go on strike today have postponed the first four days of action after receiving an improved pay offer.

Almost 100 workers were set to walk out on the job in North Somerset for four days this week, over a proposed pay award of 4.5% over two years.

Is there a bin strike in North Somerset?

Workers at recycling centres and refuse collection services run by North Somerset Environment Company (NSEC) were set to walk out for six days this month.

Strike action was due to take place today and tomorrow, (12-13 April) plus two further days over the Easter weekend (16-17 April), and an additional two days the following week (21-22 April).

The union estimated that 88,000 homes in the region would be impacted, with residents told not to put out waste containers or go to recycling centres on strike days.

However, the council announced on Friday (8 April) that a “jointly agreed revised and improved offer has been determined” and a ballot of GMB members will now take place.

Following the revised agreement, the first four days of strike action were called off, though the later strike dates, 21-22 April, are yet to be cancelled.

Additionally, GMB is still operating an overtime ban between 12-30 April, meaning there could be delays in working through any backlog.

Brian Veale, Managing Director at North Somerset Environment Company, said: “Significant progress has been made and I’m pleased with how negotiations are developing. While I can’t disclose the details of the package, I can say that our focus remains on providing staff with a package of measures to give them stability. This also allows NSEC to focus on developing, growing and maturing through its second and third years of trading.

“I hope that there will be a positive outcome from the GMB member ballot – there really are no winners when industrial action takes place.”

What was the bin strike in North Somerset about?

The dispute began after North Somerset Council, which owns NSEC, only provided enough funding for the firm to offer a 4.5% pay award to refuse workers over two years.

Workers and union bosses criticised the allocated raise, pointing to the current rate of inflation of around 7.8% and forecasts which predict it could reach 10% by the end of this year.

The pay award originally budgeted by the council amounted to a ‘big real terms pay cut’ according to the union.

North Somerset Council Labour group leader Catherine Gibbons said: “These are very tough times for everyone - in terms of the cost-of-living crisis and unprecedented rises in energy costs etc so I fully understand the pressures faced by the staff and their families, as well as by the company.

“I am pleased that both sides are participating in discussions mediated by ACAS , which have  led to an offer which will be taken to a ballot of GMB members.

“We all want to see a resolution that is satisfactory to both GMB and NSEC.”

Speaking ahead of talks between GMB and the council on 24 March, regional organiser Tim Northover said workers were “ready to push the button on strike action” but hoped they wouldn’t have to.

He said: “Nobody wants this, but at the end of the day our members are fed up of being pushed about.”

However, following a further round of talks involving ACAS last week a new offer has been tabled, which council sources say they hope will resolve the dispute.

Councillor Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council’s executive member for neighbourhoods and community services, said: “It’s encouraging to hear that talks are progressing well using ACAS’ mediation service and I’d like to thank GMB for their willingness to engage.

“I’d also like to thank the team at NSEC for their efforts and the professional way that they are dealing with the industrial action process. Thanks must also go to our crews and those working in the recycling centres for their continued hard work while negotiations are ongoing.

“It’s a relief that strike action has been called off so residents will continue to receive collections and recycling centres will be open as usual.

"While negotiations are going well, we must remember that residents who have recycling collected on a Thursday and Friday are still impacted the following week. The situation certainly isn’t over yet but we’re working really hard to limit the disruption.

“I’d like to repeat my thanks to residents for their patience, understanding and cooperation during this very challenging time. I also encourage residents to check our website homepage and social media channels for the latest updates as the situation is evolving at pace.”

Refuse workers have fought and won improved pay rises from a number of local authorities through strikes in recent months, which council figures say has likely emboldened the union to fight for better pay across the country.

An bitter ongoing dispute between Coventry city council and Unite refuse workers over a pay offer has provoked tensions between the trade union and the Labour Party.