Swale, Ashford | Bin Workers Strike Ended After New Pay Contract

Bin workers who were in a wage dispute will not go on strike after accepting a new offer.

GMB union members who work for waste firm Suez made their decision yesterday (August 21).

They were polled about taking industrial action after it discovered that Maidstone workers were paid more than those in Swale and Ashford despite performing the same job.

Loaders in Maidstone are paid £13 per hour and drivers £17, while staff in Swale and Ashford are paid £12 and £15, respectively.

It is understood, that under the new arrangement, employees in the various boroughs will receive equal compensation.

As part of a £152 million contract, the company assumed on March 25 responsibility for bin collections for the Mid-Kent Waste Partnership, which includes Swale, Ashford and Maidstone.

There were worries that the disorderly launch of the new service would get worse, because of a bin workers’ strike.

It assured the 460,000 inhabitants it serves, that it would “improve reliability and provide a more efficient service.”

Nevertheless, even after five months, households still experience weeks without collections. Since Suez took over on July 2, 36,468 reports of missing collections have been filed with the Swale council.

After a three-month grace period ended on June 25, it is believed that the company was required to pay “punishment” fines to the relevant councils.

It will examine staffing and resources, data and rounds, project and contract management, and communications over the coming months.