12:43PM, Monday 22 September 2025
Bin collectors in RBWM have announced strike action.
Two-thirds of the Royal Borough’s bin collecting workforce look set to take strike action at the end of this month amid a dispute over pay.
GMB union members in Windsor and Maidenhead, working for the council’s waste contractor Serco, have said they will walk out for two weeks from September 29.
A statement from the union warned residents to expect ‘widespread disruption’ which would ‘leave the King and his neighbours’ bins unemptied’.
A spokesperson for Serco said the company was ‘disappointed’ union members were pursuing strike action and it was ‘doing everything possible to minimise disruption’.
RBWM’s refuse collectors went on strike in 2022, but this was called off after one day of action when Serco agreed an improved pay deal with union members.
GMB said the latest pay dispute comes after Serco did not offer to improve a 3.5 per cent pay rise.
The union claimed company management then said the 3.5 per cent offer would be withdrawn and a lower 1.5 per cent offer instated if union members did not rescind the strike notice.
GMB regional officer David McMullen accused Serco of ‘bullying’ tactics in pay negotiations.
“We’ve been here before, when our members voted to take action, only for the employer to pay up after one day of action,” Mr McMullen said.
“We’re calling on the company to see sense and make the offer now, rather than put residents – including the King – through all this unnecessary inconvenience.
“This is one of the most expensive areas in the country to live and the pay offer on the table does not come close to addressing that.
“Serco are trying to play hardball by threatening to withdraw the offer if their employees don’t fall in line.
“This is not a way to treat your own staff, not a way to conduct industrial relations, and our members will not be bullied into accepting a lower deal.”
A Serco spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that, despite ongoing discussions, the decision has been taken not to suspend the strike action planned for September 29.
"We continue to work with the GMB in accordance with our national Recognition Agreement framework and urge them to suspend the planned action while talks remain ongoing.
"We apologise to residents who may be affected and want to reassure them that we are doing everything possible to minimise disruption.”
RBWM council has been approached for comment.
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