We can confirm that strike action by Somerset waste collection crews has been suspended for two weeks pending a union ballot.

Talks today between the Unite union and SUEZ recycling and recovery UK – the Council’s collections contractor – made progress and the union has agreed to ballot its membership on an improved pay offer.

The strike action that was planned to start on Wednesday (12 July) has been suspended pending the outcome of the ballot and all collections services should be running as normal.

Residents are asked to present their refuse, recycling and garden waste as usual.

There is a chance that tomorrow’s services may be compromised to some extent given the late notice of suspension of industrial action.

There is some way to go and a risk of industrial action remains, but the immediate widespread disruption to collections has been avoided.

The online garden waste form has been reinstated to take new subscriptions, renewals and requests for replacement garden waste bins.  We are also taking requests for container deliveries.

In the coming days we will be working through reinstating bulk waste collections.

Please continue to use the www.somerset.gov.uk/strike website for the latest updates and advice.