Bin lorry drivers will be walking out today as part of an ongoing campaign of industrial action.

Union bosses say the walkout is being staged as drivers of Brighton and Hove City Council’s City Clean refuse and recycling vehicles are being paid unfairly.

Representatives from the GMB union point to other council officials who are on higher pay grades despite having similar levels or responsibility to the lorry drivers.

The union has threatened the campaign of industrial action, which includes an indefinite ban on overtime and on collecting excess waste, could drag on for weeks and months.

Richard Bradley, head of City Clean and parks said: “We met with the GMB union to try and reach a resolution and avoid industrial action.

“The council is unable to meet their demands of increasing the pay of refuse and recycling charge hand drivers as there have been no changes to these roles and this would break the council’s recognised job evaluation scheme.

The council has honoured the agreement made last year and many parts of the City Clean service are doing a fantastic job.

“We remain fully committed to discussions to try and prevent the disruption of service to residents.

“We have offered to continue conversations with the GMB.”