A “summer of stink” is on the cards in South Gloucestershire as strikes at waste 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".
A warning has now been issued by South Gloucestershire Conservatives as temperatures in the weeks ahead are predicted to be sizzling hot. The strike action was due to end on July 9 but will now drag on throughout the summer. There are fears that uncollected rubbish will lead to health hazards, especially for the most vulnerable people who would have difficulty getting waste to recycling centres.
Councillor Rachael Hunt, Conservative shadow cabinet member for communities and local places, said that the new Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition in South Gloucestershire needs to act in order to limit disruption to the waste services. She said: “We have already received numerous correspondence from residents concerned about the current strikes. People are going to be extremely worried about the effects on public health if the strikes continue until September.
