Brighton rocked by strike

Brighton and Hove City Council, led by the Greens as the largest party, found itself with more rubbish and recycling on its hands than it could cope with last month, following strike action by 300 refuse workers represented by the GMB union.

The dispute arose from consultation over a change to the council’s pay and allowances structure that would cost these low-paid staff up to £4,000 per year.

Members responded by voting almost unanimously for a seven-day official strike, with the action set to continue into a second week.

The dispute has proved extremely embarrassing for many in the Green Party whose Brighton councillors were elected on an anti-austerity ticket.

Local Green MP Caroline Lucas went on record as opposing cuts to take-home pay and said she would join the picket line.

Holly Smith, workplace organiser, explained that many in the workforce voted for the Greens and were excited when they got elected, but are now disillusioned. She said the workers were earning around £16,000-£17,000 a year “and they’re proposing to take four grand off of that: Same as the rest of them, aren’t they”.

The GMB’s Southern Region appealed for donations to its strike fund and gathered support through a petition which is at: www.gmb-southern.org.uk/no-to-green-cuts-at-brighton-hove-city-council