Strike action affecting waste services tomorrow - what you need to know

We are expecting industrial action to go ahead in the Royal Borough from tomorrow (Wednesday 31 August) by waste collection operatives in the GMB union following its announcement and its subsequent discussions with waste contractor Serco. The strike period is not yet confirmed, and discussions continue between their employer Serco and the union.

We are currently intending to carry out black bin and food waste collections from tomorrow until Saturday 3 September. We had hoped to carry out recycling collections as normal over this period as well. However, due to fewer crews available than anticipated, we are currently expecting to carry out half of the recycling collections on each day the strike continues. The roads where we’re unable to collect recycling are published in advance on our website.

If your recycling is missed this week, we’re currently intending to collect this next week on your usual collection day if there are sufficient crews.

We will be temporarily suspending garden waste collections. Garden waste collections will be extended to cover the time when collections are suspended.

We will also be closing the Stafferton Way Household Waste and Recycling Centre in Maidenhead for the duration of the strike, in order to focus operatives on collections.

What you need to do

• Please be aware that because of the Bank Holiday, collections will be a day later than usual and changes to collection days are available on our website
• Please put out your black bins and food waste on your collection day and we will visit as soon as possible. Please check our website to see if the collection of your recycling is affected. If you’re due to receive a collection, please also ensure your recycling bin is out on your collection day. If we’re unable to collect your recycling this week, please do not put your bin out
• Please ensure all your waste and recycling is contained within your bins, and do not to leave any household waste in, or next to, public litter bins or in our parks and other open spaces
• Please be aware that some collections might be delayed, potentially to a later day, due to fewer crews available, so please be patient and continue to leave your bins out for collection.

If there are any whole roads where collections are missed these will be published on our website for each day the strike continues. We won’t be able to collect any individually missed bins.

We will continue to monitor the situation and liaise with contractor Serco, which as the employer is speaking with the union to seek a resolution as soon as practically possible.

Stay tuned to the news media, our website and Twitter and Facebook accounts for further updates on collection arrangements.