Extra £1,000 for binmen

Black Country binmen may get nearly £1,000 in bonuses for working at Christmas - and still get three days off.

The deal - to cost Sandwell Council £104,000 in bonuses - was negotiated between the council and unions. Binmen will still get Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day off.

The deal follows a row last year over holiday payments.

Unions wanted an extra £1,300 to work three extra days but finally accepted £900 to work over the festive period. This year, all workers will be paid £927 for Christmas week and the same amount for New Year’s week making a total of £1,854 over the holiday period, including bonuses.

This is £486.46 extra per week for two bulk drivers over and above normal wages. It will be £386.33 extra per week for two bulk loaders; £505.78 extra per week for 21 refuse drivers and £553.15 extra per week for 64 refuse loaders.

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods, Councillor Mahboob Hussain, said: “It is an investment which I believe Sandwell householders will reckon worthwhile in return for a refuse collection service over the holiday period which will be second to none in the West Midlands.”

EXCLUSIVE by Dave Lawley