More than 200,000 homes could be affected as refuse collectors fight for pay to keep pace with the cost of living, says GMB Union 

GMB members at Veolia Sheffield have voted to strike over pay and ongoing attacks to their terms and conditions. 

More than 80% of the refuse collectors voted for industrial action in anger at a below inflation pay offer from Veolia –amounting to a real terms pay cut. 

Strike action - which could affect more than 200,000 homes - will now take place on Monday November 1 from 06:30am until 10:30am, with further days planned for November and beyond. 

Lee Parkinson, GMB Organiser, said: 

"GMB members working at Veolia have taken huge risks working all throughout the pandemic to help keep  Sheffield moving – dealing with record amounts of waste as people work from home.  

"It’s time to value them properly for the work they do. 

"Politicians lining up to thank them won’t cut it; nor will a pay offer that amounts to a real terms pay cut. 

"All they want is fair offer that at least keeps pace with their increasing cost of living and is not paid for with cuts to other terms and conditions. 

"What they’ve been offered is an insult."

ENDS

Media enquiries: GMB Press Office on 07958 156846 or at [email protected]