Havering’s Bin Men Take Their Pay Battle to the Town Hall Following Week Long Strike Action.

2nd November 20262nd November 2026 Francesca Lilleystone 0 Comments FCC, Havering Bin Men, Strijes, Unite min read

Striking bin men have protested outside Havering town hall, lobbying councillors amid a dispute over pay and conditions, writes local democracy reporter Sebastian Mann.

More than 40 Unite members walked out this week, saying they are paid less than their Redbridge counterparts and routinely work overtime.

The workers, who are contracted to Havering Council by FCC Waste Management as drivers and loaders, have been on strike since Monday. The industrial action is set to end today (30th October).

Ahead of the demonstration, held outside the town hall this morning, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “These are key workers who deserve to be paid fairly.

“It is nonsensical that they earn so little in comparison to their counterparts in the next borough and FCC and Havering Council have serious questions to answer over this.”

The council says it is “extremely disappointed” by the strikes.

Havering’s cabinet member for the public realm, Martyn Cekavicius, said: “Havering Council is extremely disappointed that industrial action by Unite, involving FCC waste collection staff, has gone ahead this week.

“This was an unprecedented situation, and we apologise to any residents who have been affected.

“The council’s position has been clear from the outset, and we have remained in close contact with both FCC and Unite throughout the week, encouraging them to reach a negotiated settlement and avoid industrial action.

“We sincerely hope that a dispute of this nature will not arise again.”

He urged FCC and Unite to reach an “amicable solution as soon as possible,” in a statement issued last week.

“FCC Environment has met with Unite and discussions are ongoing as we work towards reaching a resolution,” a spokesperson previously told the London Standard.

“Our door remains open to further direct discussions with the union, and we hope that constructive dialogue can continue.

“We do not intend to conduct negotiations through the media and will therefore not be commenting further at this stage.”

In Havering, a new starter loader is paid just £12.88 an hour, while the equivalent role in neighbouring Redbridge is paid £15.72.

Loaders in the borough are also set to be paid 17% below the new London living wage of £15.45.

Union members have also raised several concerns since the contract was taken over by FCC in 2023, including excessive workloads leading to fatigue and hot-weather working, which led to some bin men suffering heatstroke.

Unite’s regional officer Danny Hoggan said: “Unite is more than willing to meet with FCC to negotiate an end to this dispute, but that relies on FCC changing tack and committing to immediate meaningful changes to these workers’ pay and conditions.”

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