Notification has been given by the union that its members will strike for two weeks from Monday 7 March. The strike action comes at the same time that new collection rounds are due to be rolled-out.
The Hills workforce picture is complicated as some are members of other trade unions. UNISON members accepted the pay deal, Hills has noted. And, a response from the Unite union is awaited next week.
The GMB balloted its members on a revised offer from Hills Municipal and they voted against accepting the offer.
Disappointing
A spokesperson for Hills said: “This is a very disappointing outcome. We have moved our offer considerably over the previous weeks and we firmly believe that the pay offer provides a fair settlement in relation to inflation and indexation, which we know is impacting the cost of living. The offer is in line or ahead of comparable local pay awards and it provides positive certainty in a time of increasing volatility.”
Hills Municipal Collections said its teams will work with Wiltshire Council to minimise disruption to household collection services and it asked for “resident’s understanding whilst we do all we can to deal with the issue.”
The company said residents should continue to place bins out for collection as normal.
Improved
The GMB union said that the industrial action was due to begin on 28 February, but had been postponed after Hills Municipal Collections made an improved offer.
GMB said it took the latest updated offer to members across all three affected sites in this dispute and that they voted to reject the offer “as it remains short of their expectations”.
The union said that the latest offer included moving the agreed pay anniversary, meaning low paid workers would have to wait longer to start any more pay negotiations.
We have offered a solution and it’s now the responsibility of Hills to come to the table
Gary Palmer, GMB regional organiser, said: “It’s a shame, because we thought we were getting really close to an offer our members could consider in good faith.
“It appears snatching defeat from the jaws of victory might be the overall plan for Hills, even as the threat of strike action grows closer.”
Mr Palmer added: “Their problem is that every offer they make which falls short of our members’ self-valuation, makes them angrier and more unhappy with how they are being treated. We have offered a solution and it’s now the responsibility of Hills to come to the table and accept that, otherwise they have to take ownership of the disruption to services and the effect this will have on homes and businesses across the county.”
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