Council issue update ahead of further three week strike action
Wrexham members of Unite are set to go back on strike for three weeks starting on Monday.
Workers represented by Unite have taken recently taken to the picket line after members of the union overwhelmingly rejected the local authority employers’ pay offer – and are set to strike again. The pay offer has been described as “a poorer offer than last year”, despite the cost-of-living crisis having worsening. Unite has members across every department within Welsh Local Authorities. However strike action will have a major impact on refuse collections and recycling centres, in particular.
Wrexham Council have issued an update today saying, “The trade union held a two-week strike earlier this month, which affected bin collections across the county borough.Refuse crews were left short-handed and bin wagons struggled to leave their depot on Wrexham Industrial Estate due to large numbers of protestors. The council expects similar disruption this time, and is making plans to try and manage services through a difficult three weeks.”
Councillor Hugh Jones, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Environment, said: “The impact on collections often won’t be clear until the day, as a lot will depend on how many employees are available and how easily our wagons can leave the depot if protestors are outside.
“Because we’ve focused on emptying black bins over the past week, it makes sense to prioritise recycling during the first week of the strike, and we’ll do everything we can to collect your recycling.
“However, please bear with us if we can’t get to you, as these are really difficult circumstances.
“If you can take some of your recycling to our Household Recycling Centres, we’d encourage you to do that. The sites at Bryn Lane, Brymbo and Plas Madoc are now open until 8pm.
“We know this disruption is really frustrating, but we’re working hard to try and manage services. We’d like to thank everyone for their continued patience.”
The below ‘Q&A’ style update has been published by the local authority this afternoon:
What are we doing during the first week?
During the first week of strike action (September 25-29), Wrexham Council will be:
Prioritising recycling collections.
Suspending black bin and green bin collections.
Liaising with police and Unite representatives to help ensure activity outside the depot is calm and lawful, and bin wagons are able to leave.
Retaining extended opening hours at Household Recycling Centres.What should you do during the first week?
During the first week of strike action you should:Put your recycling out on your normal collection day (including food waste).
If it hasn’t been emptied by the end of the day, take it back in.
If you can, please take some of your recycling to our Household Recycling Centres.
Don’t put your black bin out.
Don’t put your green bin out.
Please note that if we don’t manage to pick up your recycling on your normal collection day, we won’t be able to return for it the next day (please don’t report it as a missed bin collection).Why won’t black bins be collected during the first week?
Over the past week (September 18-22) our crews have worked hard to ensure black bins across the county borough are emptied.This means no-one should be struggling for space in their black bin at the moment – so it makes sense for us to focus on collecting recycling during the first week of the strike.
Our focus may switch during the second week, but we’ll provide further updates over the coming days.
Note we’ll also update you if plans change during the first week, as the impact of strike action is unpredictable.
What’s happening with green bins?
The council is aware of concerns about garden waste collections, which have been on hold since industrial action began.We know many people feel frustrated and we’ll provide customers with an update once we have a clearer understanding of the impact of the strikes.
Why is Unite striking?
Unite members in Wrexham are striking as part of the NJC national pay dispute.Pay for council employees is negotiated at a national level between the three trade unions – Unite, GMB and Unison – and the Welsh Local Government Association, as well as the UK Local Government Association.
Wrexham is committed to working with trade unions, but has made it clear that any negotiations have to take place at a national level under the normal collective bargaining arrangements.
Wrexham Council cannot negotiate with Unite on this national pay matter.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham previously said, “Welsh council workers are on the frontline providing vital services to communities across Wales. It is simply unacceptable that workers have been forced onto the breadline due to years of real terms pay cuts.”
“Unite never takes a backward step in supporting its members and is dedicated to enhancing their jobs, pay and conditions. Unite will be providing its local authority members with its complete support.”
Peter Hughes, Unite Wales Regional Secretary previously said, “The current pay offer to Welsh council workers is a slap in the face and would see pay levels further eroded.
“Our members provide essential services day in day out and deserve better.”
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