Since March 2015, refuse lorry drivers in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham affiliated to the GMB union have been in dispute with the Council over changes to pay and conditions. This has led to 15 days of strikes so far, causing major disruption to bin collections, with a further 22 days planned for May and June. Residents have been badly affected by the strike, with some bins not being collected for weeks.

The response from the Council has been appalling with no formal communication and inadequate contigency plans.

This petition is not linked in any way to the GMB union, although it is sympathetic to the bin lorry drivers who stand to lose £1,000 a year in pay due to the Council's plans. This is about residents who have been let down by the Council:

• No proper communication to residents warning them about the strikes taking place
• No real contingency plans to minimise the disruption
• Putting more effort into waging a PR war against the GMB union
• Suggesting that residents 'cut down on waste wherever possible', which is a wholly inadequate solution given that rubbish has been building up for weeks
• Refusing to compensate residents or offer a council tax rebate as a goodwill gesture

The streets of Barking and Dagenham are becoming extremely unpleasant. The build-up of rubbish is starting to smell and is attracting vermin, especially as we approach the summer months. It will soon become a public health issue.

The Council need to take action to immediately remove all of the rubbish piled up on the streets in the Borough and work hard to find a compromise with the GMB.