A UNION has slammed the failure of a council refuse service to propose an end to a bin dispute after four weeks of industrial action.

Members of the GMB union have pledged to continue to strike until an offer is made by Biffa and Wealden Council to resolve the dispute, claiming that both organisations have “hugely underestimated the resolve and anger of workers”.

The union’s national officer Sharon Wilde said that Biffa’s failure to table an offer to end strike action is a “disgrace that is hitting keyworkers and local people hard”.

She said: “Refuse workers, who were rightly clapped by the public for keeping key services going during the pandemic, find themselves getting poverty and, with energy and food bills skyrocketing, it is impossible for many to get by on these wages.

“Biffa and Wealden Council have totally underestimated the resolve of GMB members who, after 4 weeks of industrial action, remain as committed as ever to securing an agreement that properly recognises the crucial public service they perform.

“GMB members have received fantastic support from local people, and in failing to get round the table and talk about an offer that works, it’s clear that Biffa is out of step with the public.

“GMB members working for Biffa across the country are appalled by the actions of the company in Wealden and will not shy away from taking decisive action as they prepare their own response to poverty pay and the cost of living crisis.”

The union recently rejected a pay offer from Biffa that would have seen workers get a pay increase of up to 17 per cent this year, plus a £600 performance-related bonus.

Strike action is set to continue until June 11 unless a deal is reached by both sides.