Solihull bin workers to vote on action in pay dispute

Refuse workers for the borough will vote over the coming weeks

Bin workers in Solihull are to be balloted on whether to take industrial action in a pay dispute.

The GMB trade union said strike action, if backed, would hit the borough's waste and recycling services, affecting more than 86,000 households.

The workforce is employed by Amey, the private firm contracted by Solihull Council to deliver the services.

Amey said it increased pay within its Solihull waste teams last year, when it became a Real Living Wage employer.

More than 100 workers are to take part in the ballot ending on 4 March.

GMB organiser Dave Warwick said: "Inflation is rampant, we're in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis and these workers are massively in demand.

"These refuse collectors have worked right through the pandemic - all they want is a pay rise to keep them in line with the industry average."

Amey said: "We are immensely proud of our frontline employees who have continued to deliver essential services throughout the pandemic, including our waste teams in Solihull."

It said as well as a pay rise, it had improved employee benefits, including raising annual leave entitlement by four days and increasing sick pay benefits.

The firm added it was committed to working with GMB to resolve this year's annual pay discussions "as we continue to support our employees and minimise disruption to the local community".

Solihull Council said the matter was for Amey and its workforce and it would be inappropriate for the authority to comment.

Bin lorry drivers in neighbouring Coventry began a two-month strike last Monday in a row over pay.

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