THE misery of Warrington's bin strikes are over following a deal between Warrington Borough Council and Unite.

Refuse workers have been out on strike for the majority of the past 10 weeks in a dispute over pay and conditions. The latest was due to run until Christmas Eve.

Most residents have had just one collection since the start of October.

As the Guardian reported yesterday, Wednesday, union chiefs from Unite met Town Hall bosses this morning, including new leader Cllr Hans Mundry and chief executive Steven Broomhead.

Cllr Mundry said he was pleased to have come to an agreement.

And a deal has been agreed which will see workers return to work tomorrow, Friday. Details of the deal have not been confirmed but it is understood it does not include a cash payment but does include a 'dispute resolution payment' to cover wages for some of the time staff have been out on strike.

Unite said the deal includes a dispute resolution payment as well as improvements to terms and conditions and the creation of a number of permanent full time roles for those on temporary seasonal contracts. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This result was made possible by the absolute unity of our members. By standing together and taking industrial action, they ensured the council made a much-improved offer.

“This victory demonstrates yet again how Unite’s relentless focus on jobs, pay and conditions is achieving direct benefits for its members.”

Unite regional industrial officer Samantha Marshall said: “Full credit has to go to the workforce and the reps for their hard work and dedication in ensuring the industrial action was a success.”

When will bin collections resume?

Bin collections will resume tomorrow and crews will be collecting black and blue bin waste and recycling the council said. Visit warrington.gov.uk/your-next-bin-collection-day to find out what bins will be emptied, and on what days where you live.

Friday collections will be for black bins in Great Sankey and Penketh.

And blue bins for Chapelford, Westbrook, Bewsey and Whitecross, Callands, Old Hall, Sankey Bridges.

The site also details when collections of which bin will take place next week.

Warrington Guardian: Unite workers are striking in Warrington, causing disruption to bin collections

A council spokesman said: "There will however be significantly more waste and recycling to collect across Warrington, which means that our vehicles will become full more quickly. We’ll do our best to get to everyone on your standard bin collection days.

"In order to support bin collections, the two household waste collection points in Orford and at Victoria Park will be stood down immediately. For now, the extended opening hours at our community recycling centres will remain the same."

Warrington Guardian: Cllr Hans Mundry

Leader of the Council, Cllr Hans Mundry said: “We are pleased to draw an end to the strike action.

“We know people will want bin collections to get back to normal quickly. Please bear with us as we’ll be collecting significant volumes of waste and recycling, while also getting waste services employees back into work.”

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The increasingly bitter dispute started in October over pay and conditions.

The council lost a High Court battle on Friday to call off the strikes. Unite condemned the Labour-run council for its role in failing to find a resolution.

And earlier this week, minister Michael Gove criticised the council in Parliament following a question from Warrington South MP Andy Carter.

But now both sides have agreed a deal which will see collections resume