Dustmen take action

DUSTBIN collections in Arun district are set for more disruption tomorrow (Friday), just as the service was returning to normal following last week's one-day strike by refuse workers.

Members of the GMB union, the vast majority of refuse collectors employed by Arun's contractors, Onyx, are expected to work to rule tomorrow, with no breakthrough in prospect over their pay claim.

Friday's strike, backed by 96 per cent of GMB members on the Onyx/Arun contract, resulted in no bins being emptied on the day, leading to a backlog with which the workforce has been gradually catching up this week.

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But GMB organiser Gary Smith said tomorrow's action was inevitable unless three-way talks were arranged between the union, Onyx and Arun over the pay deadlock.

Mr Smith was meeting with the strike committee last night (Wednesday) and this morning a mass meeting of the refuse collectors was due to take place.

"We have said we will call off our action if we are assured there will be negotiations next week between ourselves, Onyx and Arun, under the auspices of ACAS.

"Last week, we said that right until the minute before the strike took place, if the council picked up the phone we would be happy to talk to them and call off our action, but that call from Arun never came," said Mr Smith.

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As well as mounting a picket line at the refuse depot in Harwood Road, Littlehampton, on Friday, bin collectors, drivers and street cleaners staged a protest outside Arun Civic Centre last Wednesday night, where a full meeting of the council was taking place.

Mr Smith said his members had been angered to hear Arun council leader Norman Dingemans criticising the workforce for performance and working methods, which had been agreed between Arun and Onyx.

The criticism, said Mr Smith, had only stiffened union members' resolve and determination.

Kevin Basford, the Arun officer overseeing the Onyx contract, said the council's stance remained the same, to keep out of the negotiations between Onyx and its employees.

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"We are seeking Onyx's assurance that the service will return to normal by the end of this week and we would regret anything that leads to more inconvenience and disruption to our customers. We are urging Onyx to meet their obligations."

In a statement released yesterday, Onyx acknowledged a pay review was necessary for its staff on the Arun contract and had now tabled an offer of five per cent.

The GMB claims most Onyx workers are paid around 5 an hour.

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