Council leader 'disappointed' by bin strike threat

A council leader said he would not be "held to ransom" by refuse collectors and street cleaners threatening to go on strike over pay.

About 100 employees of Great Yarmouth Services, a council-owned company, could walk out in the next fortnight over a 3.3% pay increase offer after unions demanded 20%.

Unite said the offer was below a minimum wage increase of 4.1% that came into effect in April, and warned a strike would affect services in the peak tourism season.

Carl Smith, Conservative leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said he was disappointed by the "unreasonable, unrealistic and unaffordable" demand, and plans were in place to ensure any action would not "seriously affect" residents.

"The council will not be held to ransom to their demands. We have plans to counteract their threat of industrial action and we will take it from there," he added.

Claire Lees, Unite regional officer, said: "Bin collections will not be done for the residents and that will go on for however long it takes. Same with bins along the seafront, they will probably be overflowing.

"We don't want to go on strike but we are being pushed down this route by Great Yarmouth Borough Council ignoring our members and not sitting round the table with us."

The company is responsible for a wide range of duties including bin collections, street cleaning, grave digging, gardening, landscaping and tree surgeon duties.

Members of Unite, Unison and GMB are supporting the action.

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