Bexley Council 'frustrated' with Serco and Unite bin strikes

The council has come under criticism after bin collection workers went on strike against contractors Serco regarding pay and victimisation issues.

Industrial action by the around 140 Unite union members started in mid July, but is now set to continue for most of August, causing bins to "pile up" across Bexley.

The council have specified that crews not on strike are working hard to deliver some level of service, and that non-recyclable waste and rubbish bins were being collected, with just recycling bins and garden waste bins not being collected.

Local residents have called the streets "absolutely disgraceful" and a "terrible advert for Bexley", with one resident particularly critical of Serco and the council for awarding them the contract.

Around 140 Unite workers are currently on strike

Council leader Cllr Teresa O'Neill OBE and Cllr Peter Craske have now issued a joint statement on the matter: "Like all Bexley residents, we are frustrated by the ongoing disruption to our waste and recycling collections, which is happening because of a dispute in which we are not directly involved.

"Serco and Unite have met several times through ACAS (Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service) and we understand that they will be meeting again very soon. We have heard from both sides that they are close to an agreement.

"We have been told that Unite members will be balloted on a return to work. It is important that this happens as soon as possible, both for the sake of our residents, the staff who have continued to work throughout and those who are on strike."

The councillors said they have urged both parties to reach on agreement to end the dispute "so we can start to catch up on the collections that have been missed and get services back to normal."

Bins have been 'pilling' up across the borough since mid July

"Thank you for your patience through this difficult period. We would also like to thank those crews that are working very hard to provide a service.

"We will post regular updates on the services we are providing and the steps we are able to take over the coming days and weeks to help collect your recycling."

The workers have been on strike for nearly a month now, and have been holding daily pickets outside Thames Road refuse depot in Crayford.

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."

She continued: "Unite has submitted a 10% pay claim in Bexley for 2021 which we believe is out of sync with the current environment.

"We believe the offer we have made, in the context of pay freezes across the public sector and the current economic climate, is a fair and reasonable offer.

"There is a small group of employees - no more than 12 - who have raised individual issues about their pay. We have written to each of them offering our formal apology and will pay them any money they are owed in the next payroll run.

"With regard to the claim we are operating zero hours contracts, we would like to make it clear that Serco do not employ any staff on zero hours contracts in Bexley."