The impact of the Unite the Union strike on district council services across Co Tyrone and Co Fermanagh is just becoming known this week - with some areas hit harder than others.
The industrial action taken by workers kicked off on Monday 25 April - and is the second such action in consecutive months as the union members call for better pay conditions.
The strike action is due to take place between 25 April and 8 May, with local councils warning of service disruption during that time.
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Bin collections are one of the council services which will be affected across Fermanagh and Omagh, Mid Ulster and Derry and Strabane council areas.
Here are the details of how services will be affected in each council area over the next two weeks.
Fermanagh and Omagh
FODC have said the strike action will impact on services, however noted that bin collection services will operate on the May Day bank holiday on Monday 2 May, as this date is not included within the strike.
“It is anticipated that the proposed strike action will, once again, impact on the Council’s ability to deliver its services in these sectors,” a council spokesperson said.
“Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has, however, confirmed that refuse collection services will operate as normal on Monday 2 May 2022 as it falls outside the dates of the strike action.
“While the Council will endeavour to continue service provision as far as is possible, it is likely that the planned strike action will have a detrimental impact on the delivery of services including key services.
“Residents are advised to follow the Council’s communications channels where updated messages about service disruption will be posted.
On Tuesday the council provided an update that several bin collections would not take place in the Omagh area, advising residents not to leave their bins out.
“If your bin is not lifted today, please take it in and present on the next collection date for that bin (WB 09 May). Additional rubbish can be taken to one of our Recycling Centres.”
Mid Ulster
MUDC said bin collection services would be affected across the whole council area this week, but advised residents to leave their blue and black bins out on their normal day.
Swimming pools operated by the council were closed on Monday, but a spokesperson said this would be reviewed.
“From Monday 25 April to Friday 29 April, no brown bins will be collected and, if sufficient staff are available, the Council will work to collect blue bins where possible.
“From Tuesday 3 May to Friday 6 May, no brown bins will be collected and if sufficient staff are available, the Council will work to collect black bins where possible.
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“While no collections can be guaranteed, residents are being advised to leave their blue and black bins out for collection on the normal day by 7.30am and they will be emptied where there are sufficient crews to deliver a service.
“If bins are not emptied, residents are being asked to take their bins back in from the kerbside and place them out again on their next scheduled collection day during the weeks beginning 9 and 16 May 2022.
“Black and brown bin collections will, however, take place as normal on Monday 2 May.
“All recycling centres, with the exception of Magherafelt Recycling Centre which is closed temporarily from Monday 25 April to Monday 2 May, will remain open during the industrial action.
“Meanwhile in Cookstown and Greenvale Leisure Centres, swimming pools will be closed on Monday 25 April, with the availability of swimming reviewed on a daily basis for the remainder of the week.
“There will be no public swimming lessons and no school swimming lessons in either centre for the duration of the industrial action, and fitness classes will also be limited.
“The Council anticipates that all other services and facilities, including cemeteries, play facilities, parks, arts and cultural facilities, will operate as normal and will keep the situation under review as the week progresses.”
Derry and Strabane
The local council for Strabane and the surrounding areas confirmed that bin collections will be 'severely impacted' as a result of the strike.
"As a result of the strike action Council is experiencing considerable disruption to a number of services such as refuse collection, street cleansing, recycling centres and a number of other services," a spokesperson said.
"The level of impact is variable across all services and is subject to change as the week progresses.
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"Refuse collections across the Council area are severely impacted. All routine bin collection services will not operate. It is therefore advised that members of the public DO NOT put their bins out for collection during this period.
"In relation to arrangements for next Monday 02 May, the May Day Bank Holiday, at this stage it is anticipated the service will be also be significantly impacted."
The council also confirmed recycling centres across the district would also be shut during the industrial action, including the following centres in Co Tyrone:
- Donemana Recycling Centre
- Plumbridge Recycling Centre
- Newtownstewart Recycling Centre
- Spamount and Castlederg temporary facility
Leisure centres are also affected in the area, with the Derg Valley and Riversdale Leisure centres remaining closed.
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