Unite union slams Southampton City Council for bin delays

Unite also claimed Southampton City Council had not done a review of binmen's workloads for seven years before making the changes.

But the council says it will not be doing a U-turn, despite widespread criticism and piling rubbish on the streets - and thanked residents for their patience while the new working practices are 'bedded in'.

Before January 29, bin men worked under a 'task and finish system' - which meant they could finish their shift early once their work was done.

Cllr Lorna Fielker (Image: Newsquest)READ MORE: Southampton bin collection delays 'an absolute nightmare'

But since then, the council's changes meant they had to work their full shifts and go back to the central depot to take breaks.

This has led to widespread delays with collections, with residents reporting their bins not being emptied for weeks.

Unite regional officer Richard White said the changes were brought in 'despite Unite warnings', adding: "Workers are now required to return to the central depot for any breaks, regardless of where they are in the city.

"This coupled with existing council guidelines that workers cannot pull bins but must only push one bin at a time, all bins must be replaced where found and that no side waste can be collected, is causing the delays.

"SCC has caused the service failures by refusing to listen to its workers. It now needs to sit down with Unite so these issues can be resolved."

It comes as some residents were told by binmen that set collection days will be scrapped and that work could be outsourced to the private sector to sort out the mess - something the council denies.

The council said however that there are a "few crews behind on collections".

It is now advising residents who have had collections missed to leave their bins out ready to be picked up and to report any missed rounds.

Council leader Lorna Fielker said: "I am sorry that some people continue to experience disruption, we are working hard to return to normal service.”

Unite also called for the city council to review its bin collection workload, particularly in areas with large student populations.

It claimed that the council had not examined the workload on each round to make sure it is manageable and work is evenly distributed across the team since 2017.

Mr White said: "Cities and towns change over time, particularly in areas such as Southampton where there is a large student population living in houses of multiple occupancy.

"Regular reviews of the rounds are crucial to ensure changing demands can be met, which SCC has failed to do."

A council spokesperson said: "We are grateful for their patience and understanding as we bed in these new ways of working.

"We are not considering reverting to the previous task and finish arrangements and can confirm crews have had no additional workload added to their daily rounds."