Northampton town faces a bin strike after refuse workers were ‘hung out to dry’ with a massive real terms pay cut.
More than 70 GMB refuse collectors working for Veolia have turned down a pay offer of just 2.5 per cent - despite inflation running at a 7.8 per cent.
Workers are ‘furious’ because the council – ultimately responsible for bin collections – have increased Veolia’s funding by 5.5 per cent, but the company are refusing to pass that on to workers.
The strike ballot will open in the next few days, and any industrial action could affect up to 94,500 homes.
Stuart Richards, GMB Senior Organiser, said:
“Northampton’s refuse collectors are furious.
“The council have given Veolia a huge increase in funding to help ease their inflation worries and they've pocketed it instead of passing it on to workers.
“These GMB members do a dirty, difficult job and kept Northampton’s streets clean throughout the pandemic. Now they are facing a crushing cost of living crisis, Veolia are hanging them out to dry.
“We urge Veolia bosses to use the extra council cash to make our members a decent pay offer and avoid massive disruption and dirty streets for almost 100,000 homes.”
