Bin collections to restart in Bexley after six week strike action suspended
Bin collections are set to resume in Bexley from tomorrow after a deal was struck "in principle" between refuse collectors and their employer Serco.
The strikes, involving 140 refuse workers based at their depot in Thames Road, near Dartford, began on July 12.
Workers are currently in their seventh week of strike action in a dispute over pay and alleged victimisation.
Bexley residents were left enraged after bins full of towering rubbish were left uncollected and attracted flies and maggots.
However, collections are set to resume tomorrow while a deal – expected to happen by the end of this week – is struck between refuse collectors and their employer Serco.
Unite, the trade union, said its members have voted in favour of the deal "in principle" and strikes have been suspended.
But the picketers are waiting for Serco to carry out its promises before calling a complete end to its industrial action.
“While the deal is being ratified...our members will go back to work and bin collections in Bexley will resume"
The deal includes a one off £750 payment for 19 staff, contract changes that will reduce pay disparities and steps to prevent the weaponization of the drug and alcohol policy.
Unite regional officer Tabusam Ahmed said: “We are pleased that a provisional deal has been reached following an improved offer from Serco.
“While the deal is being ratified, which we expect to happen by the end of the week, our members will go back to work and bin collections in Bexley will resume.
“Until this deal is enacted in full, however, strikes are being suspended not cancelled, and our members retain the option to return to the picket line if they need to do so.”
It was previously warned strikes could rage on into October with both sides saying they are keen to reach an agreement.
Talks between Unite and Serco were mediated by the conciliation service Acas.
Unite says around 50 staff are owed substantial back pay, with some workers owed thousands of pounds because Serco has failed to pay workers according to stipulated pay scales.
This has resulted in existing drivers being paid just £22,000 a year, while new recruits are paid £28,000 for the same roles.
It also claimed Serco has "weaponised its drug and alcohol testing policy in order to victimise union members, while failing to provide any advice or support to workers who are experiencing problems with substance misuse".
Last year more than 150 workers from the Thames Road depot went on strike over claims of "paltry pay" and an "insidious bullying culture".
On Friday leader of Bexley council Teresa O'Neill and Cllr Peter Craske put out a statement expressing their disappointment over continued strike action, claiming members were "indifferent to the problems they are causing local people".
They said: "We are working hard on other ways to help you dispose of your waste until the dispute is settled, so please keep an eye on disruption to waste collection service, our email newsletters and social media for updates.
"Our thanks again to the four out of five Serco staff who are continuing to work on collections and other essential services.
"Thank you for your patience and for helping us to continue recycling in the current difficult circumstances."
In October the contract will switch from Serco to a new contractor following a lengthy procurement process.
Speaking previously, Cabinet member for places, Cllr Peter Craske ruled out council intervention, adding: "There is a national agreement between Serco and Unite that strike action is abandoned once arbitration is underway but the union have decided not to honour that agreement.
"We hope that a resolution can be found that will put an end to the disruption affecting our residents."
It comes after the council set up temporary collection points on Saturday to stem the backlog of rubbish caused by workers' strikes.
In total, staff collected more than 18 tonnes of recycling as local residents dragged their waste to two local car parks.
But others fumed online at doing a job they say their taxes are supposed to pay for.