Council anger over second strike

Striking Leeds binmen have been accused of "holding the city council to ransom" ahead of a second day of action.

Thursday's strike, which has been called by the GMB general workers union in a row over pay equality, will see some city bins unemptied.

Deputy council leader Richard Brett said: "I won't have the GMB holding a gun to the council's head."

GMB organiser Bill Chard said: "We are extremely disappointed that Leeds City Council is being so hard-nosed."

Leeds city council and the union failed to reach an agreement over pay cuts during talks on Tuesday.

The strikes relate to a pay and grading review being carried out in response to national requirements over equal pay.

'Losing money'

The GMB, the only union to take part in the strike, wants pay for women workers increased to match their male counterparts, but claims the council's offer would actually mean men's pay falling to the same level as their female colleagues.

Mr Chard said: "Their refusal to see reason means that 2,500 of their hard-working employees still face pay cuts of up to �6,000 a year."

The refuse workers' strike is the first stage in what the GMB has called "a campaign of industrial action".

However, Mr Brett said: "The strike serves no other purpose than to cause disruption to the residents of Leeds and means the GMB's own members are losing money all the time they stand on the picket line."

Around 200 refuse workers took industrial action last Wednesday and GMB members are continuing to work to rule.

Residents have been advised to put rubbish out as normal but if it has not been collected by Thursday evening to keep it until the collection on 8 May.

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