Workers are set to go on strike after pay talks between union officials and Croydon Council's bin collection contractor broke down yesterday.

Unite union had postponed industrial action initially scheduled for last week ahead of negotiations with Veolia Environmental Services, which runs the borough's waste services. 

But the union rejected a new pay rise offer from the firm, meaning the three-day walk-out has now been arranged to later in the month.

Workers in Croydon and Bromley will strike on July 22, 23 and 24. 

Veoila had offered a 2.25 per cent rise - up from its previous offer of two per cent - but Unite wants a 3.1 per cent hike in line with inflation.

Onay Kasab, regional officer for Unite, said: "We went up there genuinely hoping that Veoila were going to negotiate and we suspended the previous three days action. 

"Veolia would have been fully aware prior to any discussion yesterday that 2.25 per cent was nowhere near any figure that we were going to settle on."

He added Unite would only call off the rescheduled strike if the firm offered an acceptable pay deal and would not postpone it for more talks. 

A Veolia spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that talks were held at ACAS yesterday concerning our Croydon employees.  

"We made an improved offer comprising a two-year deal with a 2.25 per cent increase in each year and an enhancement to sickness entitlements.

"We were disappointed that this improved package was rejected outright at the meeting and believe nonetheless that it should now be put to all the employees concerned for their consideration as soon as possible."