The Wealden bin strike will continue until at least 11 June after yet another pay offer was refused by GMB Union members.
No agreement was reached in the latest talks and the latest offer by Biffa was turned down by 98% of the workers this morning (26 May). The strike which has been ongoing since April 25 will continue.
A ‘pop-up’ tip was opened by Wealden District Council in Hailsham yesterday (Wednesday) in an attempt to ease the backlog of rubbish starting to build up in the streets.
Wealden Councillor Gavin Blake-Coggins told Hailsham News: “Why are these people turning 17% down? That’s a hell of an increase and everybody else has accepted it – why are these people Special?”
He added: “The pop-up tip was a good idea, there was no queue which is nice, but, you’ve got to think about the old people are overloaded with rubbish that can’t get up here. They’ve got no transport, so it’s absolutely crazy. The cost of all of this, at the end of the day, is going to be pushed on to the public.”
Gary Palmer, GMB Officer, said: “GMB did everything we could to reach an agreement. Unfortunately, Biffa bosses don’t seem as keen as we are to end this dispute for the people of Wealden. There are certain red lines our members will not cross.”
He added: “We aren’t that far away from a deal and our door remains open, but for now on the strike will continue.”
