Waste collection workers in Wirral have begun a week-long strike in an ongoing dispute over pay.
Around 200 workers employed by Biffa Waste Management started the industrial action today and will remain on strike until Saturday. The workers, employed on the Wirral Council outsourced refuse contact, are making a stand to end low pay rates with current wages ranging from £10.76 to £11.95 an hour.
The Unite the Union members are seeking a 15% pay increase to "tackle the cost of living crisis". The union has argued this pay increase would reflect the "real rate of inflation". A Biffa spokesperson told the ECHO the company had offered an improved "above-inflation" deal that had been rejected.
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The spokesperson said: "Unfortunately, following a day of negotiations between ACAS and the trade union in which an improved above-inflation deal was offered, we have been unable to reach an agreement. We will do everything we can to maintain services and minimise disruption for residents while resolving this issue."
Unite said if the ongoing dispute is not resolved then further industrial action is likely. Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Biffa is a hugely wealthy company that can and should pay a decent rate of pay to its workers. Unite's members cannot and will not tolerate low pay any longer and they will receive the union's complete support throughout this dispute."
The Unite members gathered today, Monday, December 5 outside the Biffa site in Bromborough. A number of union members held banners with the Unite logo on while the union's flag was flown from a mast outside the site. Union members were joined by supporters including Green councillor Jo Bird.
Cllr Bird wrote on Twitter: "Solidarity with Wirral refuse workers in Bromborough. All out on strike for decent pay. Biffa has paid out more than £53m to shareholders since 2018."
Unite regional officer Kenny Rowe said: "The strike action will inevitably cause huge disruption to the residents of Wirral but this dispute is entirely of Biffa's and the council's own making. Biffa has had every opportunity to make a fair pay offer and end low pay but it has declined to do so. Biffa and Wirral Council need to wake up, get around the negotiating table and make a pay offer which meets workers' expectations."
A spokesperson for Wirral Council told the ECHO : "The dispute is a matter for Biffa and we would not comment on that, other than to say we are hopeful of a quick resolution to ensure the impact on residents is minimised.
"We are updating residents with information on how services are affected by the industrial action using our communication and social media channels, but as it stands, none of the services usually provided by Biffa under the contract they have with Wirral Council will be provided until Sunday, December 11."
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