THURROCK's bin strike appears to be over - with striking workers claiming a complete victory.

Leading Unite union official Steve Turner has tweeted: "After a six week solid strike the Thurrock Bin Strike is won!

"Mass meeting accepts return to work following a capitulation by the council…. It's well organised, determined and confident workers taking action that wins."

However, the announcement from Thurrock Council is less decisive in its presentation. A statement says: "Thurrock Council is pleased to announce that strike action in the waste service has been suspended while positive negotiations are ongoing with Unite the Union.

"This is a significant step forward in the discussions with all three Trade Unions and is particularly good news for residents, who rightly value the regular waste collection service they receive."

Council leader Cllr Rob Gledhill, said: "I am pleased that our ongoing discussions with the trade unions have resulted in Unite the Union suspending their waste collection strike action meaning that we can welcome our highly valued waste collection staff back to work next week.

"The council has always maintained its commitment to reaching an agreed outcome and although the negotiations are ongoing, this positive step by Unite is welcomed.

Cllr Andrews Jefferies, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: "I know how important the waste collection service is to all our residents so it is fantastic news that the service will be reinstated from Monday 24 May across the borough. I thank all residents for continuing to work with the council by responsibly using the bring sites during the last few weeks."

The council says household waste collections are set to resume from Monday, 24 May with additional work taking place to collect waste and recycling which has built up as a result of the reduced collections over the course of the last few weeks.

Waste bring-sites will remain open this weekend as planned to allow residents to dispose of bagged household waste before collections resume next week.

More details can be found via this link.