UNITE grows extensively amid Warrington bin strikes

UNITE members are striking in Warrington as part of an ongoing national dispute over pay and working conditions.

A third wave of industrial action began today, Wednesday, and will run until November 20.

Strikes began on October 3 (Image: Newsquest)

If it runs to completion, the third wave will have seen strike action cripple Warrington's waste disposal services for almost two months, with the first wave beginning at the start of October.

Warrington Borough Council has called for an end to the strikes, citing the pay deal that was agreed nationally by the unions involved - despite this, the walkout will continue as planned.

Images taken on the picket line show refuse collectors striking together, holding banners that read: "Fair pay now for council workers."

Flyers are being handed out on the picket line (Image: Ross Quinn)

Flyers were also handed out on the picket line, which read: "Dear Warrington resident,

"We apologise that you have been affected by our strike action over the last month.

"We share your frustrations that Warrington Borough Council did not engage in talks before our strike action began, and has not made serious efforts to reach an agreement that could bring the strikes to an end.

"We are low-paid workers providing vital services to our community, who are increasingly struggling to survive during a cost of living crisis."

According to Glassdoor.co.uk, the average salary for a refuse collector in the UK is around £26,500.

The flyer continues: "We are workers who are having to take second jobs or visit foodbanks in order to live.

"This strike action is being taken as a last resort because of the position we find ourselves in.

"This dispute is related to the national pay offer, but this below-inflation offer is a minimum increase.

"Warrington Borough Council has the power, as other councils have done, to make a local agreement which would help their workforce through a cost of living crisis."

The flyer ends: "In May, they proposed giving management a pay rise of between £6,000-£17,000 so we feel there should be money made available to help the lowest paid staff in these difficult times.

"We call on Warrington Borough Council to urgently enter into meaningful negotiations to help resolve the issues we are facing."

The flyer includes a statement from the striking workers (Image: Ross Quinn)

One person, Ross Quinn, took to social media to explain that he had spoken to the strikers in Warrington, posting: "Amazing atmosphere on the picket line in Warrington this morning, members telling me the union has almost trebled in size since the strike started and they will not stop until they get the respect they deserve and win."

When contacted by the Warrington Guardian regarding the size of the union, a UNITE spokesperson said: "UNITE membership at the depot has increased markedly."

A number of residents have questioned whether they will be receiving council tax refunds from Warrington Borough Council due to a lack of public services, to which the council said: "We understand that not having your household waste or recycling bins emptied is frustrating.

"That being said, council tax is and remains a tax.

"That means households legally have to pay their council tax bill, even if services are disrupted, or even if people don’t use certain services.

"A mechanism for this type of refund does not exist.

"We are working on plans to make sure that a waste and recycling catch-up operation happens after the strike action."

Tips in Woolston, Sankey Bridges, and Stockton Heath have extended their opening hours amid the ongoing bin strikes.