Following a revised offer from Brighton & Hove City Council GMB members in the City’s Cityclean service today voted to suspend the industrial action for a period of up to 21 days for further negotiation to take place.


This decision follows intense negotiations between the Council and the Union over the last 24 hours which have brought the two sides extremely close to an agreement.


Mark Turner, GMB Branch Secretary said: “After only two days of all out industrial action the streets of Brighton were piled high with rubbish and the council found itself under increasing pressure from residents to resolve the dispute.


Negotiations have moved in the right direction which meant we were in a position to be able to put the renewed offer to the members. Following news of the offer the members voted to suspend action for a period of up to 21 days as a gesture of goodwill for the negotiations to be finalised.”


Charles Harrity, GMB Organiser said: ‘The picket line has been solid, and particular credit should go to Mark Turner, the local stewards and the members themselves who knew what was at stake in this dispute.


The action which had its focus at Cityclean’s Hollingdean depot, was solid with hundreds of GMB members on the picket line. They were also been joined by local residents, members of sister trade unions such as the CWU, Unite, FBU and Unison who have made donations to the strike fund, and students from Sussex university who have brought refreshments for the striking workers.”




Rob Macey, GMB Organiser said: ‘The support from the public has been phenomenal and clearly shows that the people of Brighton are on the side of GMB members in this dispute. Members have been particularly enthused by support from sister trade unions such as the CWU, Unison the FBU and Unite and also students from the local University who have all made donations to the strike fund and have supported our members on the picket line.”


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Contact: Mark Turner, GMB Branch Secretary 07860 787973, Rob Macey GMB Organiser 07710 618 908, Charles Harrity GMB Organiser 07977 518042. GMB Press Office: Steve Pryle on 07921 289880 or Rose Conroy on 07974 251 823.