Bin strikes in Manchester could be called off if workers vote to agree on a 'revised' pay offer.
Earlier this month, members of trade unions GMB and Unite - who make up more than half of the workforce - took part in a ballot with up to 94 per cent voting in favour of industrial action over an 'offensive' pay offer by Biffa.
The outsourced waste company, which has a contract with Manchester council for bin collections, offered most of its staff a 1.75 per cent pay rise - worth 17p an hour. Some workers said they were prepared to 'picket until Christmas' over the offer.
READ MORE: Bin men prepared to ‘picket until Christmas’ over 17p pay rise as strikes loom
If the strikes go ahead, up to 220,000 households could be affected. Industrial action is currently set to begin on May 3 for ten days, with a further two weeks of strikes planned from May 23.
In a update issued yesterday (April 27), GMB said refuse workers are now set to vote on a revised offer that has been put forward. If workers accept the deal, the strike action will be called off. The result of the vote is expected tomorrow (Friday). The details of the offer have not been revealed at this stage.
Michael Clark, GMB Organiser, said: "GMB and Unite met with Biffa today. After long negotiation, the council made a revised offer which will now be put to our members to vote on. The result of that vote is expected Friday.”
In a recent statement, a Biffa spokesperson said: "We are in active and ongoing negotiations with the unions and remain committed to reaching a solution as quickly as possible."
A statement issued by a Manchester Council spokesperson earlier this month said: The negotiations are ongoing between Biffa and the unions and we would urge them to reach an agreed way forward to avoid disruption to Manchester residents. We are continuing to work with Biffa to explore contingency plans to mitigate the potential impact of industrial action to help minimise the impact on refuse collection in the city and to ensure our streets are kept clean.
"These plans will respond to the exact nature and extent of the industrial action, and we will look to limit the disruption to residents as much as possible."
