Refuse workers vote for industrial action

Strike dates have not yet been announced due to ongoing negotiations

Refuse workers in Brighton have voted in favour of industrial action, a union said.

The GMB union said more than 100 of its members working at Cityclean's Hollingdean depot voted for industrial action with the potential to walk out on strike should negotiations fail.

The dispute concerns an ongoing consultation, which includes changes to normal working practices at the city's waste services provider.

Brighton & Hove City Council said it hoped to reach an agreement with the union "without the need for strike action".

A council spokesperson said that working with unions was "a vital part of continuing the progress towards a number of much needed improvements" within its service.

The council and union are currently engaged in talks.

GMB members have had a number of unanswered questions about how new processes would work, their implementation and requesting reviews of any changes, to ensure they work for staff and residents, the union said.

The vote was passed with a 92% majority.

'A last resort'

Strike dates have not yet been announced due to ongoing negotiations with Cityclean management.

A bin strike in 2021 led to waste being piled up on the streets of Brighton for several weeks.

Lib Whitfield, GMB senior organiser, said: “We reached out to the council before moving to a formal ballot, to avoid any potential dispute escalation affecting members and residents of Brighton and Hove.

“GMB has met with the council and has further talks planned, so we decided not to issue a strike notice to allow for these talks to continue.

"GMB hopes to resolve members' concerns without any industrial action, but members have protected themselves through normal industrial processes by voting for action as a last resort, should they need.”

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