Bin workers 'committed' to strike

Unions said more than 500 workers were involved in the strike

Striking refuse and street cleaning workers in Leeds are "committed" to continuing their industrial action, unions have said.

Employees are picketing refuse depots in the city in protest against plans by Leeds City Council which it is claimed could lead to pay cuts of up to £6,000.

Unions said they would need a "meaningful" concession from the council before engaging in talks.

Leeds City Council said about 15% of services were operating as normal.

More than 500 staff were picketing depots in the second day of the indefinite action, which unions say will leave Leeds "awash with wrappers" and rotting food.

The strike relates to equal pay measures which the council is obliged to adopt, along with other local authorities.

'Buoyant mood'

Council leader Richard Brett said equal pay job evaluations found some refuse staff were paid more than their positions had been graded at.

Tony Pearson of Unison said they believed the strike had already caused "major disruption" to services.

"We are not happy that we have caused disruption to services in this way but this is a last resort.

"The workers remain committed to strike action and the mood is buoyant. We will go out on strike for as long as it takes.

"We are willing to talk with the council, but something very meaningful would have to be put on the table for us to halt the industrial action."

Protected pay

The council has said it will protect the pay of staff who are adversely affected by the new pay and grading structure for a period of three years.

In a statement on its website, the authority said it would cost £45m per year to 'level up' salaries, so that no-one suffered wage cuts.

The council said this would have a "massive impact" on council services, could lead to thousands of job losses, and was "not an option".

A spokeswoman said the council was managing to maintain some level of refuse collection and street cleaning services.

Mr Brett said: "Clearly, services are being disrupted, but we are doing what we can to maintain services, thanks to the hard work of staff who've chosen not to strike.

"I maintain that the only way to resolve the issue of refuse worker pay is for the unions to return to the table."

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