A SUMMER bin strike is looming after union members voted in favour of industrial action.

The GMB, the union representing staff at Brighton and Hove’s Cityclean services, yesterday revealed that its members have voted to walk out because of “anti-trade union attacks”.

A tweet from the union’s Sussex branch said: “We can announce we have informed Geoff Raw, the chief executive of Brighton and Hove City Council, the outcome of our industrial ballot. 

“It was in favour of industrial action.

“We would like to thank all our members working in refuse,recycling and sweep sweeping service in Brighton and Hove on our result of our industrial ballot on strike action on Geoff Raw’s refusal to deal with the anti-trade union attack.”

The union says that 75.2 per cent of the some 230 members entitled to vote took part in the ballot. 
Of those, 87.3 per cent are prepared to take strike action.

Gary Palmer, GMB boss, said: “The council has been informed of the result. 

“We are due to meet and we will enter with a clear mandate of people wanting to take industrial action over anti-trade union attacks and the actions of rogue managers.”

The strike will see disruption to the city’s bin services throughout July, August and September.

Tensions are running high after the union discovered what it called “mountains” of files had 
been kept on one union representative.

Union bosses said the discovery of the “secret dossier” was evidence of the council’s “anti-trade union agenda”.

Cityclean boss Rachel Chasseaud has said no secret information was held on employees.

The union claims to have further evidence of “anti-trade union attacks” and wants council chief executive Mr Raw, along with his team, to go through mediation with the union.

The council said it could not comment at this stage.