THE council has added opened two more temporary waste drop off sites as refuse workers are say they will not back down over a pay row.

Thurrock bin men have been on strike since April 13, and now the Unite the Union members are on an all-out strike and will not be collecting any waste until May 28.

Unite the union claims refuse workers, highways maintenance and street cleaning teams are the target of proposed cuts up to £3,500.

But Thurrock Council insists the union signed an agreement which included £800,000 investment in pay in the first year of a four-year pay deal.

The new sites for temporary waste drop off are the Car park at Impulse Leisure Belhus Park, Park Lane, South Ockendon, and the Car park at Impulse Leisure Blackshots, Blackshots Lane, Grays.

Images show huge piles of rubbish bags are being left outside the seven temporary rubbish drop off sites.

One bin worker, 47, from South Ockendon, said: “The council is now spending thousands upon thousands of pounds on external contractors they’d be better off coming to a resolution with us.

“We’ve given out nearly 10,000 leaflets and the response has been almost universally positive.

“People are sick of it though and clearly want a deal to be done, which of course we’re open to.”

Thurrock Council bosses hit out at the decision and say they are extremely disappointed at the strike action as formal consultations are ongoing with unions and staff.

Andrew Jefferies, Cabinet member for environment, said: “These sites have been established temporarily as a result of the disruption to household collections caused by the strike action being taken by Unite the Union.

“They have been created to give residents an opportunity to get rid of the waste most likely to generate an odour. The sites will be closed as soon as collections can return to normal.

“Opening hours of the sites will be extended, including increased opening at the weekend, but we need to work within strict Environment Agency guidance.

“Waste collection teams are still out collecting waste from communal bin stores in flats and from residents who receive assisted collections because they cannot physically put their bins out themselves or at the drop-off sites. Trade waste collections are also continuing.”