Welwyn Hatfield is facing a summer of bin chaos as Urbaser workers go on an all-out strike starting later this month.

From Monday, June 19, more than 60 workers employed by waste company, which holds the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council contract for refuse collection and street cleansing, will strike over pay.

The strike will run every day until a resolution is reached, with staff demanding more than the 6.8 per cent pay offer from Urbaser.

"It is astonishing that Urbaser thinks it is anyway acceptable to pay frontline workers who keep the streets clean and tidy on such low wages," said Sharon Graham, general secretary for Unite, with the union supporting the striking workers.

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"Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council should also be hanging its head in shame for allowing such low wages to be paid on its watch.

"Unite is totally focused on defending the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and the workers at Urbaser will receive the union’s total support."

Unite regional officer, Richard Gates, added: "Strike action will inevitably cause extreme disruption throughout Welwyn Hatfield and surrounding areas, but this dispute is directly a result of Urbaser’s refusal to make our members an offer that meets their expectations.

"Welwyn and Hatfield council can’t simply sit on its hands – it has a moral duty to ensure that these workers receive fair pay."

Unite has accused Urbaser of only paying the national minimum wage of £10.42 to loaders and street cleaning staff, while drivers, who are required to hold an HGV licence, are on £15-per-hour, significantly below industry rates.

Gary McKinnon, head of commercial at Urbaser, has refuted these claims, telling the Welwyn Hatfield Times: "We have received formal notification from Unite of planned strike action at our Welwyn Garden City depot from Monday 19 June in response to a dispute in pay.

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"Urbaser Ltd values all of its staff members, and we would like to avoid any industrial action which would result in lost earnings to our workforce and cause disruption to waste collection and street cleansing services.  

"Contrary to claims made by Unite, having commenced operations in April 2020, we have increased pay for all Welwyn Hatfield staff above national minimum wage and will continue to do so as we move beyond the current negotiations.

"Our recent 6.8 per cent offer is above the national average for the sector, and particularly generous when combined with last year’s 8.6 per cent wage increase.

"Maintaining these front-line services remains our utmost priority and we will continue reasonable negotiations with Unite to end the dispute as soon as possible."

In a statement, a spokeswoman from Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council added: "We are aware that our waste collection and cleansing contractor, Urbaser, has received formal notification from Unite the Union that its members intend to go on strike over a pay dispute."

"We understand the potential consequences for our residents if there is service disruption. Our utmost effort is focused on encouraging both parties involved to engage in discussions and find a resolution that prevents any interruption to waste collection services. 

"We will be communicating any changes to services to residents as soon as we can."