ONE of Warrington’s MPs has called for an immediate end to bin strikes in the town.

Warrington South MP Andy Carter says union Unite is ‘now acting outside its mandate’, and his calling on Warrington Borough Council to take legal action.

The statement was made before Unite announced a fourth round of strikes by refuse workers – running 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 – with this round due to run through to November 20.

Mr Carter said: “Unite union is now acting outside its mandate, the national pay negotiations have ended, agreement has been reached through a collective bargaining process, and the refuse collectors should come back to work.

“If there are further items to be discussed, then there is a negotiation process which is open to unions to access, including ACAS.

“The regional shop stewards cannot simply add issues in at a local level to a national pay ballot – it is not legal and it should end immediately.

“Local residents expect a proper refuse collection service – council taxpayers have paid for it.

“If the unions will not play properly, then the council should bring in private contractors and clear the rubbish that is now beginning to pile up.

“It is time Labour councillors stood up to the union and took action through the courts to end this situation.

“Sadly, we know they will not because these now unlawful strikes are being directed from Unite union which provides cash to the Labour party that fund its election campaigns.”