UPDATE: Eastbourne: Refuse Collections Go Ahead But Union Still Rejecting Council Pay Offer

Rubbish collections went ahead in Eastbourne yesterday but the union representing refuse workers has again rejected the council's pay offer of a 7% rise.

The GMB has 11 days of strike action planned from this Friday (Jan 14), which they say will go ahead if the council does not revise its offer.

Eastbourne Borough Council released a statement at lunchtime yesterday afternoon (Jan 11):

"Earlier today (11/1/22) we wrote to the GMB Union reconfirming our offer of a 7% pay rise for drivers and 3% for all other waste, recycling and street cleansing staff.

"This was again rejected by the GMB Union. They continue to demand 25%.

"The offer we are making would achieve pay parity with drivers in Lewes.

"And as requested by the GMB Union, we also confirmed that our contractors will install a new shower facility at the Courtlands Road depot along with a new welfare unit.

"We have made it clear to the GMB Union representatives that we are keen to meet them, but disappointingly a date is still not confirmed.

"We would like to thank residents for their patience as we try to resolve this dispute.  

"We are delighted that collections of refuse have been taking place today, particularly for residents in Hampden Park who have been among the hardest hit by the strike called by the GMB Union."

In response the GMB Union Sussex Branch Tweeted the following late yesterday evening (Jan 11):

We call upon the chief exec of Eastbourne Borough Council to immediately intervene and involve himself and meet us to resolve the industrial dispute in Eastbourne is Refus and recycling and commercial waste service or is he burying his head in the sand like he’s colleagues

— GMB Sussex Branch (@GMBSussexBranch) January 11, 2022

Tim Whelan director in Eastbourne Borough Council responsible for the refuse and recycling service has failed to respond to our offer to resolve the current industrial dispute and action due to take place for 11 days from Friday

— GMB Sussex Branch (@GMBSussexBranch) January 11, 2022

GMB then released a statement at 12.40pm today (Jan 12):

Ending walk-outs and stopping rubbish pile up was within the grasp of the council if they showed real willingness to meet.

Eastbourne refuse collectors will go ahead with a further 11 days of industrial action after the council refused to meet with GMB Union. 

The union says a face-to-face negotiation is vital to talks as the lead representative, Mark Turner, is visually impaired and struggles to use Zoom and similar online platforms. 

Eastbourne council has so far ignored requests for a meeting on 12 January and a request for a meeting on 13 January has also thus far been left unanswered. 

Mark Turner, GMB B50 Branch Secretary said:  

“The council’s only focus appears at this time is to try to break the strike and blames GMB for the inconvenience to the residents of Eastbourne. 

“We hoped they might take responsibility for this mess - given they’ve moved the service back towards being in-house through an arms-length company. Since then they have done nothing to improve the poverty pay rates or welfare, health and safety of their workers.

“My visual impairment means that online meetings can be difficult for me and in person conferences allow me to be properly involved in the discussions - especially when they are so important.  

“Unfortunately this simple request appears to be beyond the council, so we have to waste our time chasing them to meet rather than resolving the dispute and bringing the strike to a conclusion. 

“Ending walk-outs and avoiding rubbish piling up in the city’s streets was within the grasp of the council if they only showed a real willingness to get back around the negotiating table.” 
 

Eastbourne Borough Council released another statement this lunchtime (Jan 12) at 1.05pm: 

Often during industrial disputes, the GMB Union make a claim that the other side don’t want to meet them.  We do want to meet them.

We have already met them and earlier this week offered to meet them again, in person today, in Eastbourne.  

Mr Turner has also said that meetings online using Zoom or Microsoft Teams are not suitable because of his visual impairment.  We have offered telephone conference calls, but Mr Turner has also said that calls are not suitable.

Our offers to meet online and over the telephone are in large part due to guidance on working from home and the risk posed by increasing Omicron infections.  

However, we will meet in person with Mr Turner if that is the only option open to him and welcome him to Eastbourne as soon as he is available.

Updates to follow.