Tower Hamlets Council waste service staff to strike

We understand that a number of Tower Hamlets Council frontline waste service workers and street cleansers will be going on strike from 18 September to 1 October due to a national pay dispute.
At Gateway, we are keen to support all our residents during this period. We will work with the local authority if uncollected waste has an extreme impact in some of our communities. You can contact the local authority for help during this period.
Please see below:
A number of Tower Hamlets Council frontline waste service workers and street cleansers will be going on strike from 18 September to 1 October due to a national pay dispute.
Despite the council working to maintain a level of service for residents, the strike will impact collections and cleansing across the borough. We apologise in advance for the disruption this will cause.
We are prohibited from bringing in additional resources during this time, but we will be reallocating staff who are not participating in strike action and doing everything we can to maintain a level of service for residents throughout the strike.
The Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman said:
“We value our frontline staff and know how hard they work. This strike is a national pay dispute and not limited to local issues. It is in fact a response to the very real cost-of-living crisis felt by families up and down the country.
“Naturally we are disappointed by the strike as keeping Tower Hamlets’ streets clean and litter free is our priority.
“We apologise to our residents and businesses and want to assure them we are doing our best to maintain a level of service.”
During the strike bulky waste collections will be suspended in order that staff can focus on collections. Residents and businesses can take their waste to the Reuse and Recycling Centre in Yabsley Street.
They can also help play an essential role in helping us maintain a clean and efficient waste collection service:
1. Reduce Waste Generation: One of the most effective ways to ease the burden on our collection services is by generating less waste in the first place. Consider reducing single-use items, practicing mindful shopping, and opting for products with minimal packaging.
2. Recycle Responsibly: Recycling is a key component of waste reduction. Please continue to separate your recyclables from your regular waste and place them in the designated bins. Remember to rinse containers and remove any non-recyclable materials.
3. Spread the Word: Encourage your neighbours and friends to join our efforts – we all need to do our part to keep our area looking clean. The more residents who participate in waste reduction and proper recycling, the more we can collectively contribute to a cleaner and greener community.
We understand that these are exceptional circumstances, and we greatly appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to resolve the strike issue. By working together and adopting sustainable practices, we can overcome these challenges and continue to build a community that values the environment.