Brighton and Hove’s binmen are in a stand-off with bosses at the council’s Cityclean depot in Hollingdean this morning (Friday 12 July) after 48 hours of growing tensions.
The dispute centres on the return to work of a GMB union official to the council’s refuse, recycling and street cleaning division.
Bosses are believed to have wanted Dave Russell to have his access restricted to the GMB’s premises rather than the depot.
As the dispute intensified this morning, binmen stayed at the depot – holding a sit-in – instead of starting their rounds.
They have already voted in favour of industrial action and – after a crunch meeting at Hove Town Hall yesterday – insiders have signalled that strikes will be called soon.
By law, the union must give two weeks’ notice, meaning that the first strikes are likely to affect the clean up after Brighton Pride.
The main parade and party are due to take place on Saturday 3 August.
Brighton and Hove City Council bosses have been investigating the way that the depot has been run previously.
And they have spoken of their duty to all their employees as well as their duty to ensure that rubbish and recycling are collected in the most efficient way possible.
In the event of a strike, there will be a temporary amenity tip for Hove residents at the corner of Church and Selbourne Roads in the car park behind the office block. Residents are encouraged to dump their black bags there if community bins are overflowing. Unless of course “can do” Nancy comes up with a solution. She is on very good terms with GMB officials so a solution should be easy.