YOU have spoken – here is what has been said in response.

Over the weekend, we asked Warrington Guardian readers on Facebook what questions they would like to put to Unite over the ongoing bin strikes.

The union represents workers engaging in industrial action with Warrington Borough Council, leading to bins going unemptied across the town.

All of the below questions have been submitted by Warrington Guardian readers and answered by Unite regional officer Samantha Marshall.

Q. Why should your members receive an above inflation level pay rise when skilled professionals such as teachers, nurses, doctors and rail workers are having to settle for less in their agreements?

A. The local government pay deal is a pay cut dressed up an increase.

It amounts to real terms cut to workers’ income of 5.8 per cent, therefore there is no ‘above inflation level pay rise in this pay award’.

In fact, since 2010, workers have lost on average 25 per cent of their pay in real terms. This means that council workers spending power is, on average, a quarter less than it was in 2010.

Q. Do you feel you may be letting the people of Warrington down by instructing your members to continue striking after a nationally agreed pay settlement has been reached?

A. Unite is a member led union and members decide. Unite is giving our members the support needed to take action to protect their jobs, pay and conditions.

Any actions being taken are within both the framework of the agreement the union has with local authorities and the law.

Council workers have already been subjected to 13 years of pay freezes or below RPI inflation pay award.

How much longer should these workers just accept these year-on-year cuts to their income?

Q. Exactly what terms and conditions are you striking over, because your banners highlight pay (which has been agreed), and you are losing public support because there has been no mention of what needs to be talked about in order to get our bins emptied?

Unite workers are striking in Warrington, causing disruption to bin collections

Unite workers are striking in Warrington, causing disruption to bin collections

A. It is important to note that the national pay award was not agreed by Unite. There are a number of elements to be resolved, low pay rates is just one.

Others include the council’s over-reliance on agency workers, seasonal workers contractual matters and laundry allowance.

Unite will meet with the council anytime, anywhere to resolve this dispute. It is the council dragging this strike out.

Q. What will happen if/when we reach 12 weeks of strike action and there is still no resolution? Is there a risk that the workers could be dismissed then?

A. We are genuinely hopeful that the decision makers at Warrington Borough Council start to engage in meaningful dialogue with Unite to resolve this matter for the benefit of all parties.

However, our members are fully aware of the legal framework and the relevant protections available to them as they continue to take part in this vital industrial action.

Q. Will we be refunded and compensated for lack of service that we have paid?

A. As that is a question for Warrington Borough Council, we would signpost any affected resident to contact the chief executive, deputy chief executive, director, assistant director, head of service or deputy head of service for the relevant department, and/or their local elected member, councillor cabinet member, deputy council leader or council leader.

Please find the relevant website pages linked from warrington.gov.uk/budget

Q. Can you empty my bins please?

A. We’d love to, after all it is the job our members are employed to do, and they do it come rain, hail or shine.

The question really is should they be expected to do it for less money, and for more properties than this time last year?

Any delays remain with Warrington Borough Council, which is yet to talk to us positively about resolving the issues.