Bin collections are set to resume in Bexley from tomorrow after a deal was struck "in principle" between refuse collectors and their employer Serco.

The strikes, involving 140 refuse workers based at their depot in Thames Road, near Dartford, began on July 12.

Workers are currently in their seventh week of strike action in a dispute over pay and alleged victimisation.

Bexley residents were left enraged after bins full of towering rubbish were left uncollected and attracted flies and maggots.

However, collections are set to resume tomorrow while a deal – expected to happen by the end of this week – is struck between refuse collectors and their employer Serco.

Unite, the trade union, said its members have voted in favour of the deal "in principle" and strikes have been suspended.

But the picketers are waiting for Serco to carry out its promises before calling a complete end to its industrial action.

The deal includes a one-off £750 payment for 19 staff, contract changes that will reduce pay disparities and steps to prevent the "weaponization" of the drug and alcohol policy.

Unite regional officer Tabusam Ahmed said: “We are pleased that a provisional deal has been reached following an improved offer from Serco.

“While the deal is being ratified, which we expect to happen by the end of the week, our members will go back to work and bin collections in Bexley will resume.

“Until this deal is enacted in full, however, strikes are being suspended not cancelled, and our members retain the option to return to the picket line if they need to do so.”

It was previously warned strikes could rage on into October with both sides saying they are keen to reach an agreement.

Talks between Unite and Serco were mediated by the conciliation service Acas.

Unite says around 50 staff are owed substantial back pay, with some workers owed thousands of pounds because Serco has failed to pay them according to stipulated pay scales.

This has resulted in existing drivers being paid just £22,000 a year, while new recruits are paid £28,000 for the same roles.

It also claimed Serco has "weaponised its drug and alcohol testing policy in order to victimise union members, while failing to provide any advice or support to workers who are experiencing problems with substance misuse".

Last year more than 150 workers from the Thames Road depot went on strike over claims of "paltry pay" and an "insidious bullying culture".

Graeme Waugh, senior contract manager at Serco said: “I am confident that, with the support of ACAS, an amicable resolution to the strike action in Bexley has been found.

"We are working on the details of the agreement currently and are delighted that residents’ collections can recommence whilst this is being finalised.

"My team’s focus has now shifted to delivering the missed collections catch up following the industrial action and we are pleased with the commitment from Unite to fully support us during this process."

He added: "I would like to thank residents for their continued patience and support while we strive to return to the normal collection schedule as soon as possible and apologise for the recent disruption and inconvenience they have had to endure.”

Leader of Bexley council Teresa O'Neill and Cllr Peter Craske said they were pleased industrial action had been suspended.

In a joint statement they said: "Throughout the strike we did all we could to encourage both parties to reach an agreement and resolve the issues that lead to this dispute.

"We encouraged them to enter into talks with ACAS which led to several meetings and now finally a conclusion.

"We would like to thank all our residents for their patience during this difficult time and all the local people and volunteers who have helped others in the community.

"Although this is a ‘suspension’ of the strike rather a complete end we feel confident that the final agreement can be reached between Unite and Serco and that the action will end officially on Monday."

But both councillors conceded the agreement would not automatically spell an end to disruption.

They added: "Unfortunately the disruption caused by the strike means that it will be sometime before collections return to normal.

"We will continue to operate the weekend recycling sessions in car parks and our waste and recycling sites will continue to be open for longer."

In the meantime the council says it will be updating its website, social media and automated phone messages with information as it becomes available.

They will also be writing to residents with information on the extra measures available while the services returns to "business as usual".

It comes after the council set up temporary collection points on Saturday to stem the backlog of rubbish caused by workers' strikes.

In total, staff collected more than 18 tonnes of recycling as local residents dragged their waste to two local car parks.

But others fumed online at doing a job they say their taxes are supposed to pay for.

In October the waste collection contract will switch from Serco to new contractors Countrystyle Recycling following a lengthy procurement process.

Read more: All the latest news from Bexley & Bromley