Sheffield bin crews balloted over strike action in pay row

The result of the ballot of GMB members on Sheffield bin crews is due on 4 September, the union says

A ballot of bin crew members in Sheffield is under way over possible strike action later this year in a dispute over pay.

The GMB union said its members who worked for Veolia had rejected a below inflation two-year pay deal.

The union urged the firm to come up with an improved offer ahead of the results of the ballot due in September.

Veolia said it remained "committed to reaching a fair deal recognising the hard work of our people".

Paul Wade, GMB Organiser, said the offer which members had rejected amounted to a "real terms pay cut".

Members were "sick to the back teeth of trying to make ends meet", he said.

"These workers provide a vital front-line service to the people of Sheffield and their pay should reflect that."

Mr Wade said he urged Veolia to "come up with a meaningful offer".

If strike action went ahead, it would affect around 200,000 households in Sheffield, the GMB said.

In a statement, a Veolia spokesperson said: "We are in the early stages of our agreed pay talks process with the GMB union and would encourage them to continue to work with us as part of ongoing discussions."