Sponsored by
Leeds binmen strike could continue until Christmas
Leeds refuse workers have vowed to carry on with their month-long strike until Christmas.
The latest round of talks between unions and council bosses – resumed after a day's break – again ended in deadlock yesterday, with discussions due to start again at lunchtime today.
Just 24 hours earlier, determined workers had voted overwhelmingly to carry on with industrial action if talks failed.
And with the announcement that the unions' hardship fund had been swelled by another 50,000, many workers vowed to fight on to Christmas if necessary.
The GMB and Unison announced last night they were adding 50,000 to the strike hardship fund as details were also finalised for a benefit gig in Leeds on October 18.
GMB general secretary Paul Kenny, who visited the picket line yesterday, said: "The two unions between them are adding 50,000 to the hardship fund and planning for a long dispute.
"The event on October 18 will raise much-needed support for our members on strike in Leeds who face crippling pay cuts.
"Supporting the event is a way for people in Leeds to tell the Lib Dem/Tory administration that the proper way to introduce equal pay is to increase the wage of the women workers up to that of the men.
When the equal pay legislation was passed, it was always the intention to level up, not level down."
Hundreds of Leeds' bin and street cleansing workers walked out on September 7 over what they say are Leeds City Council's plans to cut wages as part of a regrading of jobs.
The council says a range of pay cuts are needed to ensure the authority is meeting equal pay legislation.
The GMB and Unison unions say some workers could lose up to 6,000 a year.
Coun Richard Brett, the current joint leader of Leeds City Council, has described the strike as "deeply regrettable" and said the claims of some workers losing up to 6,000 a year are "very misleading".
Desiree Riseley, the GMB union's regional organiser, told the YEP last night that talks between Leeds City Council and union bosses were continuing.
She said the workers had voted "unanimously to carry on with indefinite action".
Asked if there was likely to be a quick resolution, she said: "I don't think so, no."
The ongoing bins battle in Leeds is now in its fifth week and with the announcement yesterday that a national postal workers' strike is also on the cards, there were fears today of a full on 'winter of discontent'. Up to 120,000 postmen and women – including hundreds in Leeds – could be out on strike before the end of the month.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
