Incinerator strike could hit bin collections - GMB

Rubbish could pile up in Wolverhampton when incinerator staff strike, the GMB Union said

Rubbish collections are expected to be disrupted as workers at Wolverhampton’s incinerator are set to take part in a two-day strike, a union has said.

More than 20 GMB Union members of the city's Energy from Waste site will walk out from 20-22 March in a dispute with the council over pay.

Workers at the site, which processes more than 100,000 tonnes of household waste each year, have not received a rise in salary since April 2022, the union said.

The City of Wolverhampton Council has said it had been notified of strike action and was "disappointed by their decision following discussions with GMB on pay issues over the last few months".

Members allege the local authority is breaching the terms of their contract which guarantees annual pay negotiations.

All workers at the site are set to be transferred to new employer North Midlands Operations Limited in April, the union added.

Tom Warnett, GMB Regional Organiser, said they believed household rubbish could pile up if the workers walked out.

“Our door is always open and we will remain open to any discussions with the council or with the new employer to resolve this dispute," he added.

“However if strike action does go ahead, we do not believe the site can be safely or legally operated and will be working with those responsible to ensure that the plant is safely shut off to protect nearby residents and businesses.”

A City of Wolverhampton Council spokesperson said: “The council and its management contractor have plans in place to ensure that the action does not impact the safe operation of the plant, and that no other council services will be affected.

“There are currently no scheduled meetings with the union but we are more than willing to enter into meaningful discussions to find a compromise that is acceptable to both parties.”