Christmas bin strikes expected over 'poverty pay'

Around 80 workers in Northamptonshire are expected to join the strike action

Council bin workers are to strike over the Christmas period in a dispute over pay and conditions.

Members of the GMB union in Northamptonshire will stop collections from 28 to 30 December - and from 2 to 5 January, the union said.

The industrial action will affect 80 workers.

A spokesperson for West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) said it was the responsibility of the service company Veolia to “put in place contingency measures to support our residents and ensure as little disruption as possible.”

Rachelle Wilkins, GMB organiser, said the strike would see “bins overflowing within days” with public spaces left “uncleaned in one of Northampton’s busiest periods".

"Families, businesses and communities across Northampton face a Christmas of yuletide bin mayhem,” she added.

Bin workers at WNC - including drivers, loaders and administrative staff - earn three pence above the minimum wage.

The GMB union is calling for a £15 per hour wage for Northampton’s refuse workers.

A WNC spokesperson said: “We continue to communicate with Veolia to ensure that residents are clearly informed of any potential disruption.”

Ms Wilkins said she was calling time on Veolia’s “toxic culture of poverty pay and workplace bullying”.

A Veolia spokesperson said the company had negotiated with the GMB union and "agreed a two-year pay deal for employees in Northampton in 2022 which runs until April 2024".

They added: “Veolia has offered and remains committed to engage in early pay discussions for 2024. We encourage the GMB to meet with us on this basis so we can find a resolution for our people and avoid any disruption to residents’ services.”