Strike action by GMB union members working as refuse collectors, street cleaners, drivers and loaders within Thanet District Council has been postponed.
Staff were due to start industrial action on Monday (September 11) but this has been suspended so a meeting can take place with Thanet council which will be facilitated by ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service).
The members employed by the council directly are in dispute over pay. GMB is asking for £15ph for drivers and £12ph for loaders. These pay scales have recently been accepted by Dover, Folkestone, Ashford and Swale councils.
Frank Macklin, GMB Regional Organiser said: “Thanet council has reached out to the GMB to request a meeting that will be facilitated by ACAS.
“The meeting will be on Monday 11 September. This was meant to be the first day of strike action, but because the council has asked the union to meet with them, the GMB have agreed to suspend the strike action planned so we can attend the meeting, listen to what the council has to say and then hopefully be presented with an improved offer that we can put to our members on 12 September to see if they wish to accept or reject.”
Thanet council Chief Executive, Colin Carmichael said: “The council will attend a meeting with GMB Union representatives, facilitated by ACAS on Monday 11 September.
“We welcome realistic discussions with the union in the hope that we can achieve an outcome that works for all parties.
“We understand from GMB that strike action which had been anticipated to begin on Monday (11 September) has been suspended to allow these discussions to take place.”
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