BIN workers will go on strike today, leading to disruption for residents.


GMB union workers for Mid Sussex District Council’s rubbish team will down tools today amid disagreement with Serco, the company which manages council rubbish collection.


Union organiser Declan Mac Intyre said workers were not happy about their pay after their request for a 15 per cent pay rise was declined.


He said: "We agreed a deal last August for a 4.4 per cent increase over two years, which in essence is a pay cut.

"These are workers who take their job very seriously.

"So for them to vote for strike action shows they are extremely upset."

Mr Mac Intyre said workers would consider a revised deal with Serco but had not received a response from the company. 


A spokeswoman for Mid Sussex council urged residents to put their bins out as normal.


But it did not know what the impact of the strikes would be.


She said: “Due to industrial action by a small number of the refuse team, there may be some disruption to refuse and recycling collections.


“Arrangements are in place to pick up any missed bins as soon as possible once the extent of the impact is known. 


“We will provide updates as they become available.”


 Andrew Norris, contract manager for Serco, said he was “disappointed” after hearing the GMB’s decision.
He added talks between workers and Serco were set for next Tuesday.


“We are working to minimise disruption on the day, are expecting to carry out planned collections, and would like to ask residents to put their bins out,” he said.