South Tyneside Council declares the ‘end is in sight’ for bin strike dispute

South Tyneside Council has stated that the “end is in sight” as more bin collection strikes are halted as talks with the GMB union continue.

The local authority has revealed that the GMB has called off strike action, which had been proposed for the next two weeks.

This follows strike action that was originally set to take place this week also being halted.

South Tyneside Council states that it is working closely with its Waste Department workforce to ensure that there is no further ‘action short of strike’, which it says has had a significant impact on bin collections between strike periods.

The GMB has stated that it will be engaging with its members positively.

Stuart Wright, Director of Place and Communities at South Tyneside Council, said: “We appreciate that this has been a long, drawn-out process for all those involved, particularly our residents whose waste collections have been disrupted for so long.

“Providing this essential service is a top priority for us.

“The Council has been at the table this whole time, engaging with the workforce and Trade Unions and doing everything it can, not only to deliver for residents but to address the concerns of crews and create a better working environment.

“The jointly agreed Action Plan gives all parties a constructive way forward and we are already delivering on key areas such as re-balancing the collection routes, which was a fundamental ask of the crews, as well as providing better PPE, increasing engagement and improving communications.

“This has been endorsed and acknowledged by the workforce and the GMB.

“It is hoped that this positive step forward will lead an end to the dispute which has seen waste collections disrupted for the past nine months.

“We appreciate it has been challenging and we thank residents for sticking with us and observing the various changes to collections throughout this entire period.”

Residents in South Tyneside are asked to present both their grey household and blue recycling bins for collection everyday (Tuesday to Friday) from Tuesday, July 9.

The new advice comes as South Tyneside Council works to move back to a normal waste collection pattern over the coming weeks.

Stay up to date with the Shields Gazette’s latest headlines and get a newsletter delivered to your inbox

Stuart added: “Now that we have some stability, at least for the short to medium term, we will be working hard to get collections back on track as quickly as possible.

“It will take a few weeks which is why we are asking residents to present their grey household and blue recycling bins at this time.

“This will give us time to catch up on the waste backlog, stabilise the rounds and work to resume a normal collection pattern.”

The Council has confirmed that the green garden waste collections will continue as normal.

The number of recycling sites in the borough has been doubled for dry recyclable materials, as well as the Recycling Village at Middlefields Industrial Estate having 650 slots available every day to support people to dispose of excess waste.

To book a slot at the Recycling Village, visit: www.southtyneside.gov.uk/recyclingvillage.