Thousands of homes are seeing their rubbish pile up as bin worker walk-outs reach their third day.

The indefinite strike action is being taken by GMB Union members in Canterbury after a breakdown in negotiations with Canenco – the waste contractor set up and owned by the city council.

The union, which has rejected two pay offers since April, said piles of rubbish could have been avoided if “workers were only paid the going rate”.

Both Canenco and the council have apologised for the inconvenience of the disruption but GMB has said both are prioritising tourism over residents’ bins.

They allege the contractor is pushing resources towards street cleaning to keep tourist areas clear at the expense of home collections.

Council spokesman Leo Whitlock said: "We are very sorry about the ongoing disruption to some residents' bin collection and recognise it is frustrating and causes a great deal of inconvenience.

"There are a substantial number of crews out emptying people's bins today and, working with Canenco, we've advised those expecting a black bin or purple sack collection to put their rubbish out as normal.

"If it is not collected within 24 hours, we are asking people to take it back in and wait for the next scheduled collection."

Today refuse workers not taking part in the strike emptied 54% of Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable’s black bins and the council reports clinical and bulky waste collections are currently up to date.

Sixty GMB members, 25% of the workforce, have now been on strike for 72 hours but the council is still recommending people put their bins out as normal – but take them back in if they haven’t been collected after 24 hours.

One Canterbury resident, Lauren Parker, 36, whose rubbish had not been collected, said: “It’s clearly not ideal that the rubbish hasn’t been collected and it really smells because of the hot weather so it’s not great really.

“If the council is creating a situation where staff are going on strike they need to find an alternative measure because it’s just an issue of public safety really.

“It’s not that I don’t support the people on strike but the council should really find an alternative way of dealing with it.”

A council spokesman said the situation is currently “fluid” and that strike action may continue into next week.

In the meantime, they advised that “side waste” – black sacks that will not fit inside bins – will be allowed for the next scheduled collection.

They also recommended that those who are able to, book a slot at their local recycling centre and take their refuse there themselves.

GMB regional organiser Frank Macklin said: “This action has only just started and it looks like it could have been resolved already if it weren’t for the council and the employer pointing the finger at one another.

“If this strike continues, rubbish will be piling up completely unnecessarily. These piles of rubbish could be avoided if workers were only paid the going rate.”

He continued: “In the meantime, our members have been blown away by the support from the Canterbury residents who have been beeping their horns and dropping off water, food and sweets to the picket line.

“If any resident is unhappy that their bins are being ignored so the Council can keep the pedestrianised city centre clean, you should get in touch with your local councillor immediately.”

An open letter, tiled ‘Canenco pay dispute’ has today been published by Canterbury City Council chiefs and Canenco bosses.

It reads:

“We are disappointed GMB members working for Canenco have rejected its latest offer - pay increases of 14.9% for drivers and 8.9% for loaders - and have returned to the picket lines this morning (Monday 10 July).

“We hope Canenco’s only recognised union, Unison, and its members will look favourably on this same offer.

“It is an offer which represents significant movement on Canenco’s part towards both unions’ requests and a commitment to end this dispute so those GMB members striking can get back to work and start getting paid again.

“The decision to continue with this industrial action will mean disruption to the collections of thousands of residents for the fourth day in a row, despite the heroic efforts of those staff still willing to work.

“It’s right to acknowledge that all of Canenco’s crews do an incredibly hard job brilliantly come rain or shine, in the depths of winter or during the searing heat of the summer.

“We recognise the cost of living crisis is hitting absolutely everyone’s pockets and causing real misery. We know there is absolutely no escape from rising food, energy, fuel and other costs.

“But the council and its finances are not immune from those very same pressures.

“We have been clear with Canenco and take the opportunity to repeat our message to you collectively, there is no more money that the council can use to pay for pay increases for Canenco staff.

“The council is down to the bare bones.

“Any more money would have to come from cutting back the services Canenco provides after a public consultation and/or by moving money away from vital council-run frontline services like dealing with rough sleeping, finding homes for those who find themselves without a bed for the night, or repairing and restoring childrens’ play areas and community open spaces.

“We were elected to protect services just like those so proposing cuts is a line we cannot cross.

“To be clear, we will not cut council services to pay for wage increases above those already offered.

“As politicians, we have tried to keep out of this dispute.

“It is a negotiation between Canenco - a separate company - and the GMB, but we felt the need for all cards to be openly and transparently laid on the table so there is no room for misunderstanding.

“We urge the GMB’s members to consider Canenco’s offer in light of our letter so we can resolve this issue as quickly as possible for everyone involved.

Yours sincerely

Cllr Alan Baldock

Leader

Cllr Charlotte Cornell

Cabinet Member for Heritage, Open Spaces, Waste and Recycling

Cllr Connie Nolan

Cabinet Member for Community, Culture, Safety and Engagement.”