Thurrock bin strike suspended as union talks with council continue

Thurrock Council has announced that strike action in the waste service has been suspended while negotiations are ongoing with Unite the Union.  

Around 90 workers in the waste and recycling department at Thurrock Council have been on strike since the 13 April 2021. 

Unite the Union says the workers faced losing between £1200 and £3800 a year but the Council has now made changes to the original proposal which means members will not have a reduction to their pay. 

Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, said:

“I am pleased that our ongoing discussions with the trade unions have resulted in Unite the Union suspending their waste collection strike action meaning that we can welcome our highly valued waste collection staff back to work next week.

“The council has always maintained its commitment to reaching an agreed outcome and although the negotiations are ongoing, this positive step by Unite is welcomed.”

Unite regional officer Michelle Cook said: 

“This deal is a victory for the workers who stood firm for six weeks in a strike to defend their pay. The workers and the residents of Thurrock will be pleased that the council have amended its plans, and services can get back to normal.
 
“These essential workers, who were applauded for their work through the pandemic, now deserve to be applauded for the solidarity and determination they showed. When workers organise, workers win.”

Household waste collections are set to resume from Monday 24 May with additional work taking place to collect waste and recycling which has built up as a result of the reduced collections over the course of the last few weeks.

Waste bring-sites will remain open this weekend as planned to allow residents to dispose of bagged household waste before collections resume next week. More details can be found at thurrock.gov.uk/bins-notice