A DISPUTE could be looming between Thurrock Council and members of its refuse collection service who are angered by proposed changes to the service.

Workers have said the action could go as far as a strike.

Last month Thurrock Nub News reported on planned changes to the collections service, which changes the structure of the way different bins are collected.

The changes have been criticised by members of a special working group set up to consider the way the council manages its refuse collection, recycling and disposal and the council's cabinet came under fire for not implementing the full recommendations of the working group, but instead cherry-picking some of the ideas and not protecting other services.

And opposition councillors criticised the ruling Conservative group of reneging on promises to ensure weekly bin collections so they could impose cost-cutting measures - which the opposition believe will include job cuts.

The Unite union has confirmed they believe the council's proposals 'attack pay and conditions' of its workers and they are currently consulting with members.

The relationship between the council and its bin crews has not been a particularly good one over recent years, and there have been direct clashes between the Unite union and the authority's chief executive Lyn Carpenter over the way she imposes management decisions on the service.

Earlier this year there was widespread discontent over the way workers were being asked to operate during coronavirus restrictions with some workers saying their safety was being put at risk.

On social media one of the borough bin crew members has said: "The binmen of Thurrock have now stood up to be counted.

"The Tory-run council has proposed slashing these workers' salaries by between £2-3.5k a year.

"Meanwhile, no changes will be made to the salaries of senior management of course. These people are part of the army of key workers that kept this country going through a pandemic; they were clapped and applauded - is this their reward?

"Thurrock Council have another thing coming if they think we're going to lie down and have them rob us blind. Not on your life. A follow up meeting of street cleansers and highway gritters also saw them join the fight with over 30 people joining the union this morning alone. I am privileged to be working alongside them.

"No to attacks on key workers and yes to strike action. Victory to the battling binmen of Thurrock!"

Unite and Thurrock Council have said they will be issuing statements shortly about the situation.