A potential bin collection strike in a part of Derbyshire has been avoided after a late improved pay offer was agreed.
Around 50 bin collection staff in the Derbyshire Dales – employed by Serco and in trade union GMB – were balloting for potential strike action earlier this month.
This had come after failed efforts to agree a pay rise in line with other council areas in Derbyshire and inflation.
However, a deal has now been struck, bringing the Dales refuse staff pay in line with other council areas in Derbyshire.
This avoids what would have been the second bin collection strike in the Dales in three years, with strike action causing havoc in 2021.
Bin collections in the Dales are operated by Serco on behalf of Derbyshire Dales District Council at a cost of £3 million a year.
Mick Coppin, GMB organiser, said: “Our members have stood together and delivered a fair outcome for refuse workers across the district.
“Strike action would have had a huge impact on local communities and businesses; it’s a shame that it took the threat of strike action for Serco to realise that.
“Members have voted to accept the new offer in the interests of supporting local people, but going forward Serco must ensure that our members are listened to by company top brass.”
GMB had said staff had been calling for an eight per cent pay rise for drivers and 12 per cent hike for loaders – to bring them in line with other workers at other Derbyshire refuse collectors.
Jamie Rickard, regional director for Serco Environmental Services, said, “We are pleased that GMB have accepted our latest offer and the strike action has been called off.”
A district council spokesperson said: “We are pleased that the GMB Union and Serco have been able to reach an agreement without causing any disruption to the waste service for Derbyshire Dales residents”.
