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Brighton & Hove: Bin Strike Day 8 Begins, GMB Adds 15 More Days To Strike

The GMB has tweeted to say it's issued a further 15 days of strike action, on top of the four weeks already issued, which takes the strike up to November 25th.

 

It follows industrial action, which started last Tuesday (Oct 5), by members of the GMB Union over refuse workers' conditions.

Despite pay offers from the council, the GMB say the strike was never about money.

A statement by Gary Palmer, GMB organiser, from their website reads:

"A total of 54 HGV holding drivers will be taking strike action during the next 14 days after latest talks with Brighton and Hove City Council failed.

"Pickets will be in place from 5am each day.

"HGV drivers are being removed without reason at the whim of local management, ignoring all the council's own policies and procedures around raising issues around capability or disciplinary matters in a formal way.  

"The bullying and harassment of GMB drivers before and during this dispute must stop."

Since strike action started, the council has reportedly made two separate pay offers to the GMB, both of which have been turned down. 

Councillor Hannah Clare, Deputy Leader of the Council said, yesterday afternoon:

“Today we once again met with the GMB, to put a further, additional formal offer to them to resolve the dispute, this time involving increased pay. 

“It’s our view that while pay was not on the original ballot, this increased pay offer is a positive attempt to recognise the hard work of not just city clean staff – but all staff working across the council.

“We’re disappointed that the GMB walked out of the room before discussing this offer with us. There are long term issues with the City Clean service that we’re keen to resolve, and we believe that discussion is crucial.

"Only by staying around the table can a good outcome can be reached, both for staff and for residents of our city.

“We are really keen to keep discussing this latest offer with the GMB and hope they will reconsider their walk-out today and resume talks. Our door remains open to talk any of this through with GMB reps.”

But a tweet by GMB this morning tells a different story:

The dispute continues.

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