Binmen are being refused tips this Christmas because of frustration over rubbish collections and recycling arrangements, a union has said.
Binmen are being refused tips this Christmas because of frustration over rubbish collections and recycling arrangements, a union has said.
The GMB says some refuse collectors are even facing verbal and physical abuse in areas where alternate weekly collections have been introduced.
The GMB says some refuse collectors are even facing verbal and physical abuse in areas where alternate weekly collections have been introduced.
And some councils have banned binmen from asking for tips because conmen are posing as council employees, it says.
And some councils have banned binmen from asking for tips because conmen are posing as council employees, it says.
It said some collection changes had been introduced in a "cackhanded way".
It said some collection changes had been introduced in a "cackhanded way".
The problems are particularly common in parts of the country where councils have introduced various methods to encourage householders to increase their rates of recycling.
The problems are particularly common in parts of the country where councils have introduced various methods to encourage householders to increase their rates of recycling.
These include West Yorkshire, Norfolk, parts of Wiltshire and several inner London boroughs.
These include West Yorkshire, Norfolk, parts of Wiltshire and several inner London boroughs.
'Distressing'
'Distressing'
"Some of the new rules have been introduced in such a cackhanded way that people are fed up," said senior organiser Justin Bowden.
"Some of the new rules have been introduced in such a cackhanded way that people are fed up," said senior organiser Justin Bowden.
"They want nothing to do with the binmen or the council and they're certainly not in the mood to give Christmas gifts, even small ones.
"They want nothing to do with the binmen or the council and they're certainly not in the mood to give Christmas gifts, even small ones.
"Binmen have suffered verbal and physical abuse where they used to get a friendly hello. That's distressing for people who work hard all the year doing a difficult, dirty and tough job."
"Binmen have suffered verbal and physical abuse where they used to get a friendly hello. That's distressing for people who work hard all the year doing a difficult, dirty and tough job."
Mr Bowden said that, for example, binmen in Norfolk are not allowed to remove rubbish that is placed next to the bin, or even take away bins which are not closed properly.
Mr Bowden said that, for example, binmen in Norfolk are not allowed to remove rubbish that is placed next to the bin, or even take away bins which are not closed properly.
This, he said, can lead to residents coming out to confront the refuse collecters.
This, he said, can lead to residents coming out to confront the refuse collecters.
Complicated recycling schemes have only added to the problem, with some councils only removing recycling every two weeks, and others asking residents to put out different types of material on different days in different coloured bags.
Complicated recycling schemes have only added to the problem, with some councils only removing recycling every two weeks, and others asking residents to put out different types of material on different days in different coloured bags.
And in Wandsworth, London, the council issued a warning after residents were approached for Christmas tips by bogus binmen.
And in Wandsworth, London, the council issued a warning after residents were approached for Christmas tips by bogus binmen.
Are you a binman? Do you have a personal experience to share? Did you get a tip this year? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
