Binmen in parts of the Midlands have sparked fury with news that they have rejected a £900 bonus for working over Christmas.
Refuse collectors in Sandwell had been offered the premium for working on December 26, 27 and January 2, all Bank Holidays, but were said to be arguing for £1,300 before agreeing to empty bins on those days.
The £900 bonus would come on top of the £27,000-a-year basic salary that Sandwell bin lorry drivers earn, and the £22,000 earned by binmen on the rounds.
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The bonus is the best on offer across the whole of the Midlands.
Sandwell Council cabinet member for neighbourhoods, Coun Mahboob Hussain, said the 75 binmen working in the borough had to make up their minds next Tuesday on whether to accept the £900 "take it or leave it" offer.
But Derrick Hesom, regional industrial organiser with the TGWU - one of three unions involved in the negotiations - said staff were furious that talks were now in the public domain.
"Yes, we have asked for £1,300 for the men but they are being asked to give up precious time over Christmas and the New Year. If Sandwell Council wants bins emptied over the festive season they should pay what we want," he added.
Coun Hussain said: "That £900 figure is our final offer.
" We do not intend to increase our offer, and the binmen do have the choice on whether or not they choose to work on December 26 and 27 and January 2. nStudents at Birmingham University are blaming a rat infestation on the city council's decision to collect refuse sacks on a Monday.
Many students go home for the weekend, which means they have to either miss the collection or put their bags outside on a Friday, leaving the contents at the mercy of rats and dogs for three days.
