BIN collections across Basildon will finally get underway this week after extra staff have been “drafted in to help out”.

Pink sack collections across the borough have been suspended during a week of chaos.

It has been claimed waste crews have “called in sick”, amid a “breakdown in the relationship” between staff and the council.

Bosses insist the move isn’t a strike, despite staff reportedly raising concerns of pay and working conditions.

Basildon Council confirmed it’s “aware of all the issues.”

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Collections are getting underway again in Billericay from this morning, following the suspension of collections in Wickford yesterday.

Jack Ferguson, leader of Basildon Labour, said: “How have we got to this point?

“We’ve had a week of this now, and residents weren’t informed properly. It was all done on social media.

“We managed to keep bin collections going throughout the Covid pandemic and in lockdowns.”

Residents have been told to leave their pink sacks out as usual.

A homeowner, who lives on Runwell Road in Wickford, hit out at the council.

The 49-year-old, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Nobody had any idea what was going on.

“People weren’t told not to take their bags back inside.

“They’ve been left to fester in the hot weather.

“It’s ridiculous, where was the contingency plan for the shortage?”

A spokesman from Basildon Council, added: “There will be no glass collections in Billericay tomorrow.

“The shortage of HGV drivers across the country has made drafting in extra resources particularly difficult at this time but we are pleased to be able to resume the pink sack collections and will be sending out street cleaning teams to tidy up areas where needed.

“Glass can be taken to the Barleylands Recycling Centre and other recycling sites.

“We sincerely apologise to our residents for the difficulties we have had this week and thank them for following the information that we have put out.

“Residents can find out more about our recycling services here https://bit.ly/3thXs3z.”