PLANS for a bin strike have been put on hold by an 11th-hour pay offer to workers.

Refuse collectors across Wealden District Council were due to walk out for a week of industrial action from Monday, but have been put on pause after Biffa, the street cleaning contractor for the council, offered the union a pay deal.

However, GMB regional organiser Gary Palmer said that the deal does not meet the expectations of members.

He said: “Biffa’s offer is well short of our members' expectations for sure, but we still felt it right to pause strike action whilst our members consider it.

“However, we will also issue a further week of strike dates to follow on from the still-planned walkout on May 2, in case Biffa continue to insist this is their final offer.

“Coming off the back of the long-running Adur and Worthing dispute, it should be clear GMB will back our members all the way if they need to undertake a strike of attrition to get what they deserve.

“Despite Biffa closing down the negotiation, GMB remains available should they wish to come back to the table if their opening and closing offer is rejected.”

The proposed strike action comes after a weeks-long bin strike across Adur and Worthing. A deal reached in recent days will see some refuse workers receive a more than 20 per cent pay rise.

A spokesman for Wealden District Council said: “The council has been informed by its waste collection and street cleansing contractor, Biffa, that following a meeting with representatives of the GMB union today, the union have agreed to delay strike action for one week.

“This is to allow for their members to be balloted on a pay offer made by Biffa.

“Strike action will therefore not begin as originally notified on April 25.

“For the week commencing April 25, all waste collection and street cleansing services will operate as normal, so please continue to put your bins out on the regular collection days.

“We will provide further updates on this matter on our website and through social media as soon as possible.

“We would also like to thank our residents for their understanding during this time.”