I'd like to explain why the council is in this position and clarify a few untruths.

I am entirely sympathetic to Mrs Taylor ('Rubbish collection in a mess', Letters, May 3) and the disruption caused to refuse collections and agree with her sentiments. What a state of affairs indeed! It is very regrettable that a few hundred men are causing problems for the rest of the thousands of people in Leeds by staging their industrial action.

Disruption

We are working extremely hard to keep disruption to a minimum where possible and to catch up on collections that have been missed. I'm sorry for the remaining few uncollected bins and thank residents for their patience and understanding at this time.

The GMB union's action has been taken over a new pay and grading structure that the council – and all other local authorities – has to implement. The aim of this new structure is to get rid of historic unfair pay arrangements and make sure women get paid the same as men when they do a job of equal value.

But, I think Mr Watson ('Outrage over council pay cut', May 2) and Vanessa Amis ('Robbing Peter to pay Paul', May 6) have misunderstood what is happening.

Despite what the GMB has said in the press (and in the advert in the YEP on May 6) we are not cutting the salaries of any member of staff.

The new pay structure means that there is a chance a small number of our employees may lose out. Those affected will keep the same salary for the next three years (it's called pay protection) and will not have a penny taken away during that time. Over those three years we have committed ourselves to a further review of services and jobs to see how any adverse affect can, hopefully, be eradicated altogether.

The other two unions who've been working with us on this review, Unison and Unite (T&G) view the proposals as the best that can be achieved under the circumstances and are committed to continue to work with us in the future.

The new structure means over 10,000 members of staff – mainly women – will actually get a pay rise. Unfortunately, the GMB's stance has forced a delay on it being fully implemented. I find that ironic, given the fact it claims to be 'fighting for women workers'.

Coun Richard Brett, Executive Board member with responsibility for corporate affairs, Leeds City Council


THE strike of the refuse collectors is affecting our particular street very much.

We have now missed three collections of our black bin. The rubbish is now piling up in bins and black bags at an alarming rate.

Whilst most of Gildersome have had their bins emptied at some stage, we have been missed altogether.

If we telephone the concil no action is taken.

It is suggested we take our rubbish to a tip. Why should we?

We pay our council taxes. The rubbish is now becoming a health hazard with the recent warm weather. The bags cannot be opened and you cannot put plastic bags in the skips at the tips.

Maybe a miracle will happen and our bin will be emptied next week.

Mrs Barbara Hawkshaw, The Nooks, Gildersome, Leeds