A planned series of bin strikes in east London during the Christmas season has been cancelled following the acceptance of a better pay proposal.

Garbage collection, street maintenance, and groundskeeping personnel in Waltham Forest were set to commence multiple walkouts from December 10 until January 9.

According to the GMB union, employees of FCC Environment, which manages these services for Waltham Forest Council, voted in favor of the new pay agreement. The union now intends to revisit discussions about wages and sick leave in January.

FCC Environment confirmed that they reached an agreement, while the council expressed gratitude for the dedication and hard work of refuse collectors who operate under various weather conditions.

The workers agreed to a more favorable pay package from FCC “after enduring months of inadequate proposals,” as reported by GMB.

The union announced that pay negotiations would resume next month, during which they will also address issues related to sick pay, employee facilities, and overtime alongside potential salary increases.

Mary Goodson, the regional organizer for GMB, stated: “Our members stood firm against low wages and secured a better deal for themselves and their coworkers, avoiding the need for industrial action.”

“This is a solid beginning, and we are eager for productive talks with FCC in the upcoming year.”

The new offer includes an increase for workers earning the London Living Wage to £14.50 per hour, retroactive to August, marking an almost 4.7% rise from the 2024-25 London Living Wage rate.

Employees with higher salaries will see a 3.6% increment, also backdated to April.

Clyde Loakes, the deputy leader and cabinet member for climate and air quality, remarked: “We recognize the hard work of collection staff, who often face tough weather conditions, and we value their commitment and effort.”

“Residents will be relieved that their waste collections will proceed smoothly during the busy holiday season and into the New Year, which poses challenges for these vital services.”

A representative for FCC Environment stated, “FCC Environment has confirmed that a satisfactory agreement has been reached following ongoing discussions with the unions.”

Waltham Forest will implement a revised bin collection schedule during the festive season, as collection crews will not operate on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or New Year’s Day.