Residents in part of the city region have been advised to stash their waste and recycling as staff at 22 tips go on strike.
Unite the Union has said 180 workers at Veolia, which processes rubbish for about 600,000 homes across Merseyside and Halton, will be holding industrial action from December 28-31, then from January 2-7 and January 15-21, in a dispute over pay. Tips will also be shut for New Year’s Day.
Among those affected will be residents in Runcorn and Widnes, who will be unable to access the borough’s two municipal waste and recycling centres on Picow Farm Road in Runcorn and Johnson’s Lane in Widnes. Halton Borough Council has advised residents to store their waste and recycling until the centres open again.
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A Halton Council spokesperson said: “Due to industrial action by Veolia staff, the council’s recycling centres are closed Wednesday, December 28 to Saturday, January 7, and Sunday, January 15 to Saturday, January 21.
“Our advice is to store your waste and recycling until the Recycling Centres are open again. Thank you for your patience.”
Unite has accused Veolia of channelling the “spirit of Scrooge” by refusing a 50p pay rise for most staff from £9.50 to £10 an hour, with class two HGV drivers paid £12 an hour and class one drivers receiving £14.47 an hour.
As part of the pay claim, Unite expects the differentials to be maintained when the National Minimum Wage increases in April 2023.
Unite said Veolia has only been prepared to offer a 20p an hour increase.
As previously reported by the ECHO, John McColl, Unite regional officer, said : “The strike action will inevitably cause severe disruption at the busiest time of the year as residents seek to get rid of household waste.
“This dispute is completely of Veolia’s own making, they can fully make a fair pay offer but have chosen not to.
“Veolia needs to return to the negotiating table and make a pay offer which meets our members’ expectations.”
A Veolia spokesperson said: "We recognise the hard work of our teams in Merseyside and Halton in delivering essential public services for the community and this is reflected in our improved package for 2022-2023, covering both pay and conditions.
"We remain committed to engage in constructive discussions with Unite the Union and its members to find a resolution for our staff and avoid disruption to services.”
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