GMB members to vote to end bin strike in Adur & Worthing
Some HGV drivers are set to receive a pay uplift of over 20%
GMB members who work in the refuse, recycling and street cleansing department of Adur & Worthing Councils have this morning (21 April) voted to accept the joint councils’ latest pay offer and suspend their strike action.
The pay deal will mean an increase of 8.2% for refuse loaders on the pay award previously offered and accepted by members of another union.
Cleansing drivers will see their pay rise by 10.4% above the previous offer, with some HGV drivers set to emerge with 20.7% more.
This new deal will be implemented immediately, rather than over the coming weeks and months, and will also include a commitment by the council to complete a job evaluation process on HGV driver and phase leader roles, with these changes to be implemented within three months.
While the strike will be called off with immediate effect, the union have agreed with the council an option to bring its members back out on strike until November, should any of these commitments not be honoured within the agreed time period.
Gary Palmer, GMB Regional Organiser said:
“This is a tribute to our members, and their dedication and determination to win an award that properly reflects the hard work they put in every day, and especially over the last two years.
“It would have been very easy for them to just accept the award that they were offered, but they collectively decided to say: ‘No, I’m worth more than that.’
“They were told this was a great deal and they decided to judge for themselves what they are worth, and now have a deal which is not below inflation, but instead reflects market rates for this sort of work and keeps them ahead of the cost-of-living crisis.
“The union would again reiterate our thanks to the residents and businesses within Adur and Worthing for their support and understanding throughout this dispute.
“Our members are of course committed to continue the cleaning up process that has already begun, and will have this carried out as soon as possible.
“This once again shows the value of being in a union, and the message is clear: anyone else looking to improve their pay should give GMB a call.
Contact: Gary Palmer on 07552 165 950
