Bin collections across South Gloucestershire face disruption this week as workers begin strike action over pay. Unite announced the planned industrial action last month, and said that around 150 workers employed by the council’s waste contractor Suez, would be taking part.
The strike begins from today (Monday, June 12) until Saturday, June 18, with a second phase set to last two weeks planned for Monday, June 26 until Sunday, July 9. It comes after members rejected an eight per cent pay offer from global waste company Suez, which Unite called a significant real term pay cut when looking at the firm’s annual profits, which were £80.8m in 2021 after inflation.
The company’s South Gloucestershire bin loaders earn £11.53 per hour. South Gloucestershire Council has apologised to residents for any inconvenience the strike action may cause and encouraged householders to still put out their bins as normal.
