About 140 workers voted for the strike

Unions claim Salford Council is abusing agency workers because they are paid less and have no guarantee of shifts.

The authority says casual staff are not used to cover permanent vacancies, and that any available full-time jobs will be filled by agency staff.

About 140 full-time dustmen, recycling teams and road sweepers voted for the walk out on Wednesday.

They don't take this lightly Neil Clarke, Unite

"This is a last resort," said Neil Clarke, of the T&G section of the Unite union.

"We understand that it will have an impact on communities.

"But let's be clear about this - these workers that are being exploited are also members of the community and have friends and family that will be affected. They don't take this lightly."

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.

Council bosses say 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 added that the council has also worked to provide agency staff with better terms and conditions