Bin workers have vowed to push on with strikes for another four weeks as a council refuses to budge and rubbish overflows from homes.

Industrial action by GMB union members working for Canenco - the waste contractor owned and run by Canterbury city council - began on July 5.

So far, the local authority has made three pay rise offers, all of which have been rejected, and has warned GMB not to expect any additional proposals.

But union bosses appear determined and have told KentOnline the walk-outs will continue until at least August 20.

“Our members are not making unreasonable demands, just for the market pay rates agreed in neighbouring authorities,” said GMB’s regional organiser, Frank Macklin.

“GMB members employed by the council’s wholly-owned company will now be taking industrial action until at least Sunday, August 20, unless councillors in Canterbury take action to resolve the dispute.”

Workers are demanding increased hourly wages of £15 for rubbish truck drivers and £12 for loaders and street cleaners.

They say the proposed pay is comparable to what refuse workers already make in Dover, Folkestone, Ashford and Swale.

Mr Macklin added: “The residents of Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable may find the council’s messaging confusing, as many were misled by the council that the dispute was settled on Friday.”

His comments refer to the council announcement last week about an agreement being reached with members of Unison – a separate union to which the majority of Canenco’s staff belong.

Unison member rubbish truck drivers will now be paid £14.45 an hour, representing a 14.9% increase, with loaders taking home £11.61 for loaders, up 8.9%.

As the strike moves into its third week, the Canenco workforce has been strained and residents are seeing the effect.

Non-GMB members have still been working during this period, meaning household waste has been collected.

But as black bins have been prioritised, recycling and garden waste collections have been more limited, leading one elderly Canterbury resident, Nan Miller, to walk her wheelie to the tip herself.

In a High Court ruling last week, a judge decided it is unlawful for companies and authorities to use agency staff to relieve pressure on services and cover striking workers.

The government decision was contested by 13 trade unions after new regulations were passed last year amid ongoing pay disputes across several sectors.

Judge Thomas Linden upheld the unions’ challenge on Thursday.

In a previous statement on the ongoing strikes, Canterbury City Council confirmed agency staff had been used while GMB members were on the picket line.

But a council spokesman this week insisted no rules or laws had ever been broken.

He said: "We're assessing the future implications of last week's ruling but can confirm at no point have we broken the law and we have only used agency staff to cover for sickness and annual leave.

"Use of agency staff has been paused until everyone has some certainty about the legal position."