Members of the GMB trade union have accepted an improved pay offer from their employer Amey, which means next week’s bin strike has been called off.
GMB union has today (Thursday) notified the Isle of Wight waste contractor that the 2-week strike, which was planned to begin on Monday (13th June), has been suspended.
The company have made an improved offer to their refuse drivers and loaders, which has been accepted by the majority of union members.
The strike will no longer go ahead as planned, which leaves the refuse collections to go ahead as scheduled ahead of the Isle of Wight festival next weekend.
Gary Palmer, GMB Regional Organiser said:
“Despite Amey refusing to talk to GMB directly, the collective voice of our members and the threat of strike action was enough to secure an improved offer from 4.21% pay rise originally offered by the company.
“Of course, our members didn’t get everything they wanted, but they chose to bank this improved offer and will continue to provide the excellent service that their hard work delivers for residents.
“This strike would have delivered severe disruption to the island’s kerbside service, especially at the time of the festival, and Amey would do well to remember that when they offer our members their pay deal next year.
Article continues below this advertisement “GMB would like to thank the residents of the Isle of Wight for the fantastic support, comments, and offers of solidarity ahead of this strike, even though any action may well have caused a major headache for everyone on the island.”
Council leader, Councillor Lora Peacey Wilcox, has said:
“I welcome the positive news that there will no longer be any strike action from next week.
“I would also like to thank our crews on the ground for all their hard work that they do, day in and day out. Our residents will also be extremely relieved too!”
Natasha Dix, strategic manager for environment, said: “This is great news that our waste partners Amey and their employees have been able to come to a positive outcome and avoid the need for strike action.
“Our residents have always appreciated the work the crew and drivers do, throughout the pandemic and now.”
Well done all concerned
All we need now is a 16% pay rise for NHS workers to bring there pay back up to the correct level it should be, or maybe people should go back to giving them a clap, because that pays all the bills, oh and you do realise the NHS isn’t only run by nurses. All workers on this island public or private deserve a decent pay rise, and all the people who had their wages payed to them when on furlough should have their tax code changed so they can pay it back especially as there was plenty doing cash in hand work at the same time.
I should think it has been called off as this is a generous pay rise as not all on this island are getting anywhere near this ,,,, example nurses etc
It’s what they deserve considering the wage they were on compared to the mainland crews.
As for nurses, they don’t do bad at all. I’m sure a lot of people would like the money they are on. Especially when I hear of nurses going to food banks, now that’s taking the P as most of them clearly eat too much.
Yawn, nurses nurses nurses…..
I see what my daughter brings home as a nurse, no wonder she never complains.
Thank god 4 that. My son 4got to put bin out last week while I was away and it’s chocka
Well done to all concerned parties. Common sense will prevail after all. Another occasion when the union was un-necessary.
You are joking right? The union secured them the deal that they have now accepted, without the union they would have had to accept the original terrible offer
Yep, lots and lots of idiots on this site, God bless em.
So they have got a payrise, after this you might do your job properly, as you haven’t before, emptying bins at the back of waste disposal I see loads of rubbish falling to the ground none of them pick the rubbish up and its there job contract to pick up the rubbish but they don’t. The amount of rubbish that falls the ground is horrendous, do your job properly.
What a complete and utter knob.
We will all pay for that come next April.
Yes we will, that is how services work.
If you don’t want to pay expect no police, no roads, health care or waste disposal to name but a few.
Burn bags no problem collection
What a load of old rubbish..