Bristol Waste bin strikes, which would have caused weeks of disruption have been suspended. It's to allow for a ballot on the improved offer put on the table by the company.
More than 300 refuse workers, who are members of the union Unite, were due to take part in the strike action, which would have taken place this week.
This initial strike period would have coincided with the Harbour Festival, which takes place from this Friday, July 14 to Sunday, July 16. The event sees thousands of people descend on the harbourside for a weekend of music, entertainment, food and drink.
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Unite has confirmed that the strike has been suspended while members have a say on the new pay offer, but if it is rejected then strike action will begin on Thursday (July 13) just in time for Harbour Festival weekend. A further 14 days of strike action is then planned from Monday, July 24.
Unite regional officer Ken Fish said: “As an act of goodwill our members have agreed to suspend strike action while they are balloted on the new offer.”
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The initial strike action was agreed after Unite said workers were ‘angry’ at a pay offer covering 17 months of a seven per cent rise, or £2,000 - whichever is greater. The new pay offer has not been made public.
Residents in the Bristol Waste area have been asked to put out rubbish bins and boxes as usual whilst the ballot is open.
The strike suspension in Bristol does not impact ongoing strike action in South Gloucestershire where residents have been warned a “summer of stink” is on the cards as disputes between refuse workers and contractors Suez continue.
According to Unite union, the strike of around 150 staff emptying bins on behalf of South Gloucestershire Council has intensified and is "now set to last every day until September". The council has said that it would be prioritising black bin collections and warned recycling may not be collected.
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