The Island risks rubbish piling up as GMB union members prepare to go on strike over the weekend of the Isle of Wight Festival.
Members working as refuse operatives on the Island are being balloted for industrial action over the festival weekend.
The ballot, which closes on May 27, could see action begin on the Island as early as June 13, with the Isle of Wight Festival scheduled to take place over the weekend of 16 to 19 June.
The workers are in dispute with their employer Amey over pay, which the union members argue is well below industry rates and will not be rectified by the current tabled deal.
Speaking to Isle of Wight Radio, festival organiser, John Giddings, said he hopes the issue is sorted.
He said:
"It would be a shame for the people who we bring to the Island to see it with rubbish piling up.
"I hope they can agree a resolution."
Gary Palmer, GMB Regional Organiser, said:
“Our members are simply looking for a pay rise which reflects their worth.
“These are key workers who were working throughout the pandemic and are now looking for some recognition of that.
“This is a physically demanding job which needs doing come rain or shine, and any pay rise needs to reflect not only that, but also keep above inflation, which has hit a record high this week.
“Put simply, if Amey agree to get around the table with GMB and put together a pay deal that properly reflects the rising costs of food, fuel and household bills, there won’t be any need for a strike.”
In response, an Amey spokesperson said the following:
“We put a high value on the work carried out by our employees on the Isle of Wight, and have offered a pay increase of 4.21%, in line with the Real Living Wage increase that came into effect on April 1.
“Since Amey took on the contract, in November of 2015, wages for our drivers have increased 27% and we continue to ensure our rates are competitive, but the request of an additional increase in wages of more than 30% in 2022 is fundamentally unsustainable.
“We will do everything we can to avoid strike action and will continue to talk to our employees to ensure they are supported and kept informed.”
Amey's business partner, the Isle of Wight Council, added:
"Our business partner Amey is a Real Living Wage Employer which has provided staff with favourable pay increases every year of the contract to date."
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