WARRINGTON is set to be hit by a fourth round of bin strikes, with industrial action now being extended into the festive season.

Unite has announced that the latest strikes will run from Tuesday, November 21, through to Monday, December 4.

Wednesday, November 8, marked the beginning of a third wave of strikes – the first of which began on October 3.

The latest wave will see industrial action run through until November 20.

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Unite has blamed Warrington Borough Council’s ‘dithering’ for a fourth phase of strike action, accusing council leaders of dither and delay.

This week, a provisional agreement was agreed, but the council has not confirmed the proposals in writing, meaning Unite cannot consult it members on the proposal, the union says.

A spokesman said: “The 70 plus workers say the national pay offer of a flat rate increase of £1,925 is not good enough.

Warrington Guardian:

“The offer is below the rate of inflation and amounts to a real-terms pay cut. But a complete lack of urgency shown by the council towards resolving this dispute is needlessly delaying a resolution.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Throughout this dispute, Warrington Borough Cuncil has dithered and delayed, needlessly dragging this strike out.

“Unless council leaders sharpen up, this strike will continue into the festive season. Unite’s support for our members remains steadfast.”

The national bargaining agreement for local governments sets out minimum standards, but local authorities can agree better terms and conditions for workers if they wish to do so, the union said.

Delays are 'unnecessary'

Unite regional officer Samantha Marshall added: “Warrington Borough Council is failing the workers and failing its residents.

“These delays are completely unnecessary, and the reason why strike action could extend into the Christmas period.

“In the last 10 years, local authority workers have lost a quarter of their real-terms incomes because of austerity, pay freezes and the rising cost of living.

“It is no wonder refuse workers are joining Unite – our membership has doubled at the Warrington depot.

“The council needs to find a sense of urgency and work with Unite to resolve this dispute.”

What has the council said

Responding to the union's claims, a Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: "We don’t recognise the claims being made by UNITE about so-called ‘delays’ in discussions, as we have been in several discussions with union officials this week and previously.

“While the national pay dispute has now concluded, with UNITE’s agreement, we continue to look at ways that we can bring an end to the strike action in Warrington.

“A fourth wave of strike action would be entirely unacceptable, disproportionate and would continue the disruption to our residents and businesses. 

"We again call on UNITE to cancel their current strike, and any further plans for strike action, while discussions between the council and our recognised trade unions continue in earnest.”