Wiltshire bin strike to go ahead affecting 250,000 homes

A bin strike will go ahead across Wiltshire after GMB members voted for industrial action.

Refuse operatives, loaders and drivers will walk out on February 28 in a move that will affect more than 250,000 homes.

GMB’s 70 members across three sites - employed by Hills Municipal Collections Limited in Trowbridge, Salisbury and Calne – are furious after management imposed a two per cent pay award - amounting to a massive real-terms pay cut – and failed to negotiate meaningfully with GMB.

The ballot saw more than 98 per cent of workers voting to strike, on a return of almost 85 per cent

Nicola Nixon, GMB Regional Organiser, said:

"We have today served notice on the employer and will at this point now be working with members arranging pickets for the first strike day.

"Time is running out if Hills want to get back around the table to discuss our members pay expectations of a seven per cent pay increase before any possible major disruption of waste and recycling collections for more than 250,000 homes.

“We can’t negotiate on our own and despite GMB having the largest membership, Hills have done nothing to make us think that’s going to change.

“We were told at our last meeting that there is an improved offer, but that they won't tell us what it is yet.

“It’s game playing - pure game playing.”