Gosport avoids bin nightmare at New Year
GMB union call off strike ballot after employer Urbaser meet their minimum pay demands
GMB members working for Gosport Borough Council’s waste contractor Urbaser Ltd have cancelled plans to go on strike in the new year.
Members of GMB, the union for refuse and recycling, were demanding a wage of £15 per hour for HGV drivers and £12 per hour for other operatives and were being balloted for strike action as the company were initially refusing to pay that.
Urbaser have since agreed to honour that amount, backdated to 1 April and payable in January.
GMB has therefore called off the industrial action ballot and residents’ kerbside collections will be unaffected in January.
Charlotte Gardner, GMB Regional Organiser said:
“GMB have been very clear that £15 per hour for drivers and £12 for loaders and other operatives is the minimum going rate for this work in this area.
“Urbaser have acknowledged that and agreed to pay their workers that rate in Gosport.
“There remain two things to be said now – one, any other refuse employer along the south coast who wants to offer GMB members less than £12 and £15 can think again.
“Secondly, this is the going rate for now, however Urbaser will need to make a renewed offer next year so our members can continue to keep their heads above water and their wages can keep pace with inflation.”
