Serco binmen cancel strike action after accepting revised pay deal

Serco has avoided strike action among its bin lorry workers in Bexley after they voted to accept a revised pay deal from the outsourcing company.

More than 150 workers were due to down tools for five days in a dispute over pay and health and safety, according to union Unite.

However, it added that the campaign was not yet over as Bexley council was currently considering whether to award Serco with another five-year contract.

The new deal includes a £10.25 per hour minimum rate, backdated to 1 April; 2.75% pay rise for everyone already above the minimum rate, pending the outcome of national negotiations and a commitment on health and safety improvements.

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Ruth Hydon, Unite regional officer, said: “Our members have voted to accept a revised pay offer from their employer Serco and, as a result, they have called off their five days of strike action that was due to have started tomorrow (30 July) and run into next week.

“I would like to thank our members for the solidarity they have shown during this dispute that predates the lockdown in March.”

Hydon added that the union believed the contract should return in-house, as it was the best solution for its members and Bexley residents.

In March, Serco was forced to back down on plans to reduce refuse rounds and increase the number of bins its staff were expected to empty in the West Midlands after Unite stepped in.