Refuse workers will walk out next Wednesday

About 140 full-time dustmen, recycling teams and road sweepers have voted for a walk out next Wednesday.

Union Unite has said temporary and permanent workers working side by side are being given different rates of pay.

It claims some casuals get paid less than permanent staff, despite having worked there for more than 12 months. Salford city council denies this.

Mick Cashman, of union Unite, formerly the Transport and General Workers' Union, said: "Our members regret any disruption to local services but the council have left us with little choice.

I can guarantee that 100% of the currently-established jobs within these services are, and will continue to be, occupied by permanent staff Councillor Keith Mann

"We have spent months trying to negotiate and workers feel that they are being ignored by their employer.

"All we are asking is that the council honour our agreements on pay and conditions and end the casualisation of our jobs.

"It is wrong that workers work alongside each other doing identical jobs on different pay and conditions."

The union is calling for an end to a two-tier pay structure for agency and staff workers, an overtime ban and a work to rule.

Better terms

Council bosses have said the use of casual labour is necessary due to high levels of absenteeism among full-time staff.

The council's spokesman for environmental services, Keith Mann said: "We are not filling permanent vacancies in these services with long-term casual labour and the facts do not support the union's claims.

"I can guarantee that 100% of the currently-established jobs within these services are, and will continue to be, occupied by permanent staff."

Councillor Mann also added that the council has also worked to provide agency staff with better terms and conditions.