Refuse workers at Thanet council who are GMB union members have voted to take strike action if a dispute over pay is not resolved.
Staff took part in a ballot on the action during a meeting at the Manston Road depot earlier this week.
Of the 59 GMB members, 34 voted, and of those, 30 (88%) voted for strike action. GMB officer Gary Palmer says some were unable to be balloted but were backing a decision to move forward now rather than wait for a re-ballot.
Mr Palmer said staff were being paid at a rate “well below what they should get for the job they do.”
He said: “They need to go up a council (pay) banding and be at the top of that banding to bring them up to a proper pay level and reflect the very good work they do for the residents of Thanet.”
Mr Palmer says the request was put to Thanet council but accused the authority of ‘filibustering’ (obstructing) progress and said although the authority claimed to be working on pay increase offers it was taking “a significantly long time.”
He says further anger was provoked by a letter from Thanet council to staff outlining plans to invest in the depot and create hardstanding for refuse vehicles.
Mr Palmer said: “At a time when the guys are asking for money so they can stop using food banks and feed their families properly and make a decent living, they are extremely angry that investment for hard standing is taking priority.”
Mr Palmer said pay rates across workers varied but members would be looking for a percentage rise in the mid-20s.
A notice of strike is likely to be issued to the council on May 15 giving two weeks notice of industrial action.
Mr Palmer said: “Strike notice is the last thing we want to do but nobody is talking to us and pay is appalling so there is no other option.
“The aim of strike notice is to force employers back to the table. Strike notices will continue to be issued until such time as the council takes this matter seriously. They need to stop talking about what they are going to do in several months time, our members can’t go in the supermarket and say our pay goes up in 6 months time. Our members are too desperate to hang about.”
Mr Palmer says staff have now received letters to say Thanet council will be bringing security to the depot during any picket action.
He said members would not have a problem if agency staff were used to cross the picket but if agency workers are used to attempt to drive vehicles out of the depot “that will not be happening.”
A Thanet council spokesperson said: “We are committed to providing our residents with essential services and our staff play a critical role in enabling us to do this.
“We haven’t received notice of strike action. We have invited representatives from both GMB and Unison to attend meetings held previously to discuss the specific issue of market rates and the wider review of pay. GMB haven’t attended.
“We are now in the process of arranging a further meeting to discuss the situation, with the aim of reaching an agreement. We recognise the need to support our staff and competitive pay is important for recruitment and retention.”
Waste and recycling workers with the GMB have also been taking action over pay in areas including Brighton. Strikes in Ashford were called off after an ’11th hour’ deal was reached.
Recent refuse collector vacancies – via agency – were being advertised at £10.42 per hour.
