Bexley bin strikes 'could last until October', warn Unite

Bin workers in the borough have been striking against contractors Serco since July 12 over pay and victimisation disputes, and many residents haven't had their bins collected for four weeks now, causing the rubbish to 'pile up'.

Unite has now warned that the strikes could last until October unless there is an intervention, with the union accusing the council of "empty words", saying it is time for Bexley to "make Serco face up to its responsibilities."

Bexley Council have said that "just like Bexley's residents we are furious that such a vital public service is being disrupted in this way."

"We have urged all sides to sit down and discuss the issues, instead of holding our residents and our vital public services hostage in this way.”

Bins haven't been collected in around three weeks in some parts of Bexley. Photo sent in by Claire Hedderman

Talks between Unite and Serco are due to take place this week, mediated by the conciliation service Acas.

The strike centres over several issues, including the poor pay below the London living wage and pay scales which sees and existing drivers paid up to £6,000 less than new recruits.

Around 50 staff are also allegedly owed substantial back pay, and workers ay they are also angry at Serco 'weaponising' its drug and alcohol testing policy to victimise union members.

Unite regional officer Tabusam Ahmed said: “Our members do not want to strike and are well aware of the inconvenience caused to residents. Unfortunately, they have no choice because Serco has refused to put forward any proposals that could end this dispute.

“Unless Bexley council intervenes, these strikes could last until October. The council has stated that it wants a solution to be found. But promises to meet with Unite so far have amounted to nothing but empty words.

“Our members won’t give up until the pay and drug testing issues are addressed. They have done nothing wrong and it is time for Bexley council to make Serco face up to its responsibilities.”

PA Wire

Bexley Council said in a statement: “Just like Bexley’s residents, we are furious such a vital public service, one which is used by all residents all the time, is being disrupted in this way and prevented from being delivered fully because of actions of a small minority of people.

"A fundamental part of our new contract is our insistence that staff be paid the London Living Wage, so staff working in this service will receive far bigger pay rises than many other people in Bexley which makes this strike even more baffling.

"We have urged all sides to sit down and discuss the issues, instead of holding our residents and our vital public services hostage in this way.”

Countrystyle Recycling was recently chosen as the borough's new waste and recycling contractor after a "detailed procurement exercise," taking over from outsourcing giants Serco in October this year.

Despite this, around 140 workers first walked out on July 12 after a long-standing dispute with Serco, with the strikes again extended on July 26, with workers now also striking from August 9 to August 22.

Back in June, Unite warned of a 'summer of stink' unless the disputes were resolved and they are delivering on their promise after many residents have complained over the state of local streets.

The pile up of bins has been described a "health hazard" and a "terrible advert for Bexley", with many residents now in their fourth week without a collection.

Serco's senior contract manager Grace Waugh said they were 'disappointed' by the decision to take further strike action which has been made while peacekeeping discussions were ongoing.

Speaking on July 23, Waugh said: "We have prioritised refuse and food waste collections and offer our apologies to any residents whose collections have been missed because of this strike action.

"Our frontline teams are working exceptionally hard, often beyond their contracted hours, to minimise disruptions to residents and I would like to personally thank each of them for their continued help and support."

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