Liverpool’s Deputy Mayor has vowed to bring a resolution to an ongoing dispute with the city’s striking bin collectors.
Members of Unite employed by Liverpool Streetscene Ltd (LSSL), Liverpool Council's refuse and street cleaning arm began a six-day walk out earlier this week in a row over pay. The 80 plus workers are employed in refuse collection, street cleaning and parks and cemeteries.
The staff are also responsible for collecting household waste and managing public bins, alongside maintenance of the city’s parks and cemeteries. The industrial action has been staged as workers seek a 4% pay increase and an additional £1,000 to offset the cost of living crisis.
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Dozens of Unite members gathered outside Liverpool Town Hall ahead of last night’s full meeting of the local authority to make their voices heard. In an update to councillors, new deputy mayor Cllr Frazer Lake said industrial action was “the last thing” he wanted to see.
Cllr Lake said he was “really disappointed to see that they feel the need to strike.” The Fazakerley councillor confirmed he had met with Unite officials alongside Labour group leader Cllr Liam Robinson and were “getting round the table to negotiate”.
He said he would “continue to encourage talks to bring the resolution to the dispute.” Brian Troake, Unite regional officer, told the ECHO prior to the meeting that there was a desire from workers and representatives to sit down with local authority officials to resolve the issue.
Announcing the strikes earlier this month, Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “Our members play a crucial role in keeping Liverpool clean and they deserve a fair days’ pay. LSSL and Liverpool council can’t sweep this issue under the carpet any longer.
“Our members at LSSL will be receiving Unite’s total support throughout this dispute.” A spokesperson for Liverpool Street Scene Services Ltd said: “We are surprised and disappointed at the proposed industrial action Unite are intending to take.
"We have always worked in partnership with them and the majority union for our staff, GMB, so it is sad to hear that Unite have adopted to take this approach when the national pay award, via the NJC, was agreed and awarded to their members back in November 2022. This rise of £1,925 equates to a £1 per hour increase with an additional 4% for any additional allowances, meaning all our staff have seen their annual salary rise between 7%-12%.
"Those working various shift patterns also benefited from the increased hourly rate on their weekend and irregular hours working. In recognition of their performance everyone was also given an extra day’s holiday for the coming year.
"Outside of any inflationary pay awards, our staff continue to receive competitive rates of pay for the roles undertaken when benchmarked locally and nationally against comparable roles, drivers, HGV drivers and operative positions, as well as generous terms and conditions. All of these points have been made to Unite and we continue to talk to the union in the hope a resolution can be found.”
Industrial action will continue until Saturday, January 28, with further strikes possible if an agreement cannot be reached.
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