A COUNCIL has reissued its pay rise offer to bin workers in a bid to end their industrial action.

Last week Eastbourne Borough Council put the offer to the GMB Union HGV drivers who are currently striking over pay and conditions.

The council wrote to the union again this morning to reconfirm the seven per cent pay rise to refuse workers and three per cent increase to all other staff at SEESL - South East Environmental Services Limited - the company set up by the council to deliver refuse.

A council spokesman said: "Earlier today we wrote to the GMB Union reconfirming our offer of a seven per cent pay rise for drivers and three per cent for all other waste, recycling and street cleansing staff.

"This was again rejected by the GMB Union. They continue to demand 25 per cent.

"The offer we are making would achieve pay parity with drivers in Lewes.

"And as requested by the GMB Union, we also confirmed that our contractors will install a new shower facility at the Courtlands Road depot along with a new welfare unit.

"We have made it clear to the GMB Union representatives that we are keen to meet them, but disappointingly a date is still not confirmed."

The council also confirmed that bin collections have taken place today.

The spokesman added: "We would like to thank residents for their patience as we try to resolve this dispute.

"We are delighted that collections of refuse have been taking place today, particularly for residents in Hampden Park who have been among the hardest hit by the strike called by the GMB Union."

On Friday, another week of action was added by the union from January 14 to January 28.

Declan MacIntyre, GMB Union organiser, said on Friday that all drivers want is the “going rate” so they can “make ends meet” in an expensive part of the country.

He added that the council’s offer suggests it is “not serious” about its workers and preventing disruption to 50,000 people living in Eastbourne.

GMB Union also revealed on Sunday night that strike action could spread west to Adur and Worthing, announcing that a consultative ballot for drivers is closing on January 19.