A strike by refuse workers in the east London borough of Tower Hamlets, which resulted in huge piles of rubbish being left on the streets for almost two weeks, has come to an end after a pay deal with the council was reached.
Unite, the union representing the refuse workers, announced on Tuesday that a pay deal with Tower Hamlets council had been reached. Earlier this month, more than 200 refuse and street cleaners working for the council had rejected an offer of a flat rate increase of £1,925. The union said this would amount to a real-terms pay cut due to the rising cost of living. Strike action began on 18 September.