Bin collectors at Thurrock Council are set to strike after the installation of what their union has called “Big Brother cameras”.

The 65 workers, who are members of Unite, the UK’s largest union, will be striking next week after they claim management refused to listen to their concerns.

The first of a series of 48 hour strikes will begin at 00:01 on Thursday 12 April and there will be further 48 hour strikes beginning on Thursday 19 April and Thursday 26 April.

There will then be a 72 hour strike beginning at 00:01 on Tuesday 1 May. This will be followed be a series of 24 hour strikes on May 16, 23 and 30.

The workforce’s greatest concern involves the council’s installation of new cameras on refuse lorries which livestream 360 degree pictures directly to the manager’s desk.

Unite has compared the new cameras to reality TV