This brings an end to the strike action which has seen recycling collections in the area suspended for nearly two weeks. Collections will now begin again on 21 March.
Workers from Unison and Unite had both previously accepted a 7% pay rise as part of the tri-union recognition agreement, but the GMB union rejected it.
However, in a ballot today GMB workers almost unanimously accepted the” a version” of the previous 7% offer, which the GMB said also includes a bonus scheme to be offered to more staff and further uplifts for those on the lowest pay rates.
Collections in Wiltshire are carried out by Hills, who have been involved in a war of words with GMB in recent days over the strike.
‘Full circle’
A spokesperson for Hills Municipal Collections said while the company is pleased that the action will now finished, it is “frustrated that to all intents and purpose, we have gone full circle”.
To all intents and purpose, we have gone full circle
- Hills Municipal Collections spokesperson
The spokesperson said: “We are pleased that GMB Union members have agreed to accept the deal offered at 7.1% which includes a minimum 2% pay rise back dated to April 2021 and a 5% pay rise from 1 April 2022 with the next annual review in April 2023.
“Although pleased that the action will now finished, we are frustrated that to all intents and purpose, we have gone full circle.
“We look forward to welcoming our colleagues back to work. This has been a stressful time for everyone involved, including ourselves as employers, striking employees, and employees who have not gone on strike, together with our client Wiltshire council and all the residents of Wiltshire who have not received the level of service they have come to expect.”
‘Carefully observing’
Confirming they had accepted the offer, Nicky Nixon, GMB organiser, said her union was “proud” of its members and would be “carefully observing” how they were treated when they return to work.
We will now be carefully observing what happens next
- Nicky Nixon, GMB organiser
Ms Nixon said: “We were pleased to be able to negotiate an improved offer which has been almost unanimously accepted by the members.
“We will now be carefully observing what happens next to ensure the employer treats those workers who have taken lawful industrial action with respect.
“There must be no retaliation and members return to work tomorrow.”
Strike
The GMB union gave notification to Wiltshire council that its members would strike for two weeks from 7 March earlier this month.
Due to the build up of waste, the council warned on Twitter than some delays might occur when collections restart, but residents were told to put household and garden waste collections out on their normal collection days.
They will be collected “as soon as possible” if they are not emptied as scheduled, the council said.
We’re pleased to confirm that our recycling collection services will resume from Monday 21 March, with Hills Municipal Collections and GMB Union having reached an agreement.
Please put your blue lidded bins and black boxes out on your normal collection day from 21 March.(1/4) pic.twitter.com/ER7PI9TBbB
— Wiltshire Council #WiltshireTogether (@wiltscouncil) March 17, 2022
On Twitter, the union branded the result a “massive win” for its members.
📢Wiltshire bin strike ends in massive win for GMB!
There must be no retaliation and members return to work tomorrow, says GMB Union
A long running bin strike across Wiltshire has been resolved today after GMB members accepted a new deal. https://t.co/uOXrloJYZj
— GMB Southern Region (@GMBSouthern) March 17, 2022
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