However, it will not be known until tomorrow whether the offer will be accepted, and whether two further strikes – planned for a 48-hour period from February 4 and 72-hour period from February 11 – will be cancelled.
Represented by union Unite, around a third of the waste collection staff in Bristol voted to refuse the offer, and take strike action.
Yesterday, SITA UK put a revised pay increase offer of 3% on the table which the firm says is a fair offer and hopes the workers will accept.
The offer will be scrutinised today, when Unite will hold a ballot to decide whether to accept it and suspend its strikes, or continue action. A decision will be announced tomorrow (Friday, February 1).
Steve Bell, senior contract manager at SITA UK, stressed that SITA – which has never faced industrial action in Bristol before – hoped the new offer would be accepted.
He said: “We are extremely proud of our refuse drivers, loaders and street cleaners in Bristol. They perform a vital public service and work extremely hard across the city. We are also proud that our staff in Bristol benefit from good terms and conditions, which is why we are hopeful that the improved offer will be accepted and our service for Bristol's residents will not be disrupted.”
Bristol city council welcomed the news that the initial strike has been averted – which could have disrupted services to a fifth of the city – or around 34,000 homes.
However in a statement on its website it warned that potential strikes could still affect refuse collections, organic collections and street cleansing. Black box recycling collections and clinical waste collections will not be affected.
A spokesperson said: “Bristol city council welcomes the news that industrial action planned by SITA staff for Thursday has been called off to allow time for a ballot on a revised offer. The council is hopeful that agreement can be reached to avoid further action planned for next week. We understand the result of the ballot will be known on Friday and will keep residents informed via the council's website and the local media.”
Unite was unavailable for comment ahead of a decision on the revised pay offer.
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