South Tyneside: Bin strike stops collections until new year

Bin collectors have been on a picket line at the Middlefield refuse depot

Four days of strike action have started which mean there will be no bin collections in South Tyneside until the new year.

It is the second time refuse collectors in the GMB and Unite unions have picketed over allegations of bullying and mismanagement.

They are waiting for the outcome of an independent investigation into grievances lodged in June.

South Tyneside Council said it was "unfair residents continue to suffer".

• Bin bosses deny disciplining helpful staff

The industrial action means no bins will be collected in Hebburn, South Shields and Jarrow from Wednesday 27 December to Saturday 30 December inclusive.

Residents are being told not to put their bins out over this period.

GMB senior organiser Stephen Thompkins said: "The last place our members want to be over the Christmas period is on a picket line, but this is not about money, it's about our members being treated with dignity and respect."

The GMB is waiting for the outcome of the independent investigation commissioned by the local authority, following grievances lodged in June.

Mr Thompkins said the time taken for the independent report was "not acceptable"

South Tyneside Council said it remained committed to resolving matters.

The council said it had investigated all options to provide an alternative service, but had been unable to acquire the resources to do so because of the holiday period and because of legal restrictions that protect industrial action.

"We appreciate how frustrating and inconvenient it is particularly at this time of year," a council spokesperson said.

Bin services will resume from Tuesday 2 January

A South Tyneside resident said people had left bins out in his back lane and that rubbish was "scattered everywhere" because of "high winds and vandals".

Additional slots have been made available at the recycling village.