Everything we know about the bin strikes in Warrington

The first wave of bin strikes began on October 3, with the current lasting until November 20.

And it has now been confirmed that a fourth phase will begin on November 21 and end on December 4.

So as industrial action continues, here’s everything we know about the bin strikes in Warrington.

When did the strikes begin?

On September 28, Warrington Borough Council confirmed that a ‘small number’ of waste, highways, and environment workers had announced their intention to strike from October 3 to October 16.

It was understood that the strike action was to affect Unite members at the council and that it related to the 2023/2024 local government pay award.

The council originally said that it was ‘anticipating a small level of disruption’.

What has happened since?

Since the beginning of October, four waves of bin strikes have been announced.

The first took place on October 3 and lasted until October 16.

During this period, a second wave of walkouts was confirmed for October 24 to November 6.

But as there was a pause in strikes, the council was able to catch up on black bin collections in the town – which meant it had to suspend blue and green ones.

Meanwhile, a third wave of strikes was announced for November 8 to November 20.

And last week, the union confirmed a fourth walk-out will take place from November 21 to December 4.

This means that since the beginning of October, no blue or green bins have been emptied across the town while black household waste has only been emptied once or twice, depending on what area of Warrington you live in.

Why are refuse workers striking?

Unite members have walked out in a dispute over pay.

A spokesperson for the union recently told the Warrington Guardian how it will be giving its members ‘rock solid support’ as they continue to fight for improved terms and conditions at a local level.

A poster has been handed out by strikes which reads: "We apologise that you have been affected by our strike action over the last month.

"We share your frustrations that Warrington Borough Council did not engage in talks before our strike action began, and has not made serious efforts to reach an agreement that could bring the strikes to an end.

"We are low-paid workers providing vital services to our community, who are increasingly struggling to survive during a cost of living crisis."

What has Unite said?

Most recently, the union has blamed the council’s ‘dithering’ for a fourth phase of strike action.

The union has accused council leaders of dither and delay.

Last week, a provisional agreement was agreed, but the council has not confirmed the proposals in writing, meaning Unite cannot consult it members on the proposal, the union says.

A spokesperson said: “The 70-plus workers say the national pay offer of a flat rate increase of £1,925 is not good enough.

“The offer is below the rate of inflation and amounts to a real-terms pay cut. But a complete lack of urgency shown by the council towards resolving this dispute is needlessly delaying a resolution.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Throughout this dispute, Warrington Borough Council has dithered and delayed, needlessly dragging this strike out.

“Unless council leaders sharpen up, this strike will continue into the festive season. Unite’s support for our members remains steadfast.”

While the national pay deal has been agreed, local members are hoping for extra improvements including a one-off payment, changes to Christmas shift patterns and more laundry support.

What has the council said?

Responding to the union's claims, a Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: "We don’t recognise the claims being made by Unite about so-called ‘delays’ in discussions, as we have been in several discussions with union officials this week and previously.

“While the national pay dispute has now concluded, with Unite’s agreement, we continue to look at ways that we can bring an end to the strike action in Warrington.

“A fourth wave of strike action would be entirely unacceptable, disproportionate and would continue the disruption to our residents and businesses.

"We again call on Unite to cancel their current strike, and any further plans for strike action, while discussions between the council and our recognised trade unions continue in earnest.”

It is understood talks to avoid next week's strikes are continuing this week.

Advice for residents during the strikes

Residents are asked to continue to make use of community recycling centres, which will continue to have extended opening hours during the industrial action.

You should also flatten any household waste before putting it in the bin so you can fit more in, but make sure not to pack waste in too tightly that it risks not being able to be emptied properly.

Talk to your neighbours about sharing bin space so all bins are filled, and if you have the space and your bin is full, keep your recycling waste indoors.

Why can’t I check my bin collection date online?

The council has removed the page on its website where you can normally check when your bin is due to be emptied.

This is to save people from getting confused, with the page to be reinstated after the strike action finishes.

Will I get a refund on my council tax?

It seems not.

The council’s website states that although it understands not having waste emptied is frustrating, ‘council tax is and remains a tax’.

It reads: “That means households legally have to pay their council tax bill, even if services are disrupted, or even if people don’t use certain services. A mechanism for this type of refund does not exist.

“We are working on plans to make sure that a waste and recycling catch-up operation happens after the strike action.”

Can the council pay agency staff to empty bins?

The council says that by law it is banned from paying agency workers to cover duties performed by a worker who is taking part in a strike.

“This prevents us from employing agency workers to cover the duties of employees on strike,” the website reads.