Hundreds of Biffa workers will strike in the lead up to Christmas demanding an end to low pay.
Around 200 workers employed by Biffa on the outsourced Wirral Council refuse contract will begin strike action next week in a dispute over low pay. Unite the Union said the workers will be making a stand to end low pay rates amid the rising real rate of inflation.
The union that represents the workers said HGV drivers are paid £11.95 an hour, refuse operatives £11.50 and street operatives £10.76. The workers are seeking a 15% increase to "reset their pay rates and also tackle the cost of living crisis" as inflation soars to 14.2%.
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The workers will begin strike action on Monday, December 5 and end it on Saturday, December 10. Unite added further industrial action will be likely if the dispute is not resolved.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Biffa is a hugely wealthy company that can and should pay a decent rate of pay to its workers. Unite’s members cannot and will not tolerate low pay any longer and they will receive the union’s complete support throughout this dispute."
Unite regional officer Kenny Rowe added: “The strike action will inevitably cause huge disruption to the residents of Wirral but this dispute is entirely of Biffa’s and the council’s own making. Biffa has had every opportunity to make a fair pay offer and end low pay but it has declined to do so.
“Biffa and Wirral Council need to wake up, get round the negotiating table and make a pay offer which meets workers’ expectations.”
A Biffa spokesperson said: “We have offered our employees an above-inflation pay offer. We are doing everything we can to try and avoid a strike and are meeting with ACAS and the Trade Union today to continue talks.”
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