All you need to know as Warrington’s bin strikes finally end

After 10 weeks of misery, in which some residents have only had their bins emptied once, refuse workers will be sent back out.

It comes following a meeting by representatives of Warrington Borough Council and union Unite.

With bin lorries being sent back out today, here is everything we know.

How, why and when did strikes start?

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 and carried out.

The first took place on October 3 and lasted until October 16, with the second running from October 24 to November 6.

A third wave of strikes was announced for November 8 to November 20, before a fourth walk-out was then confirmed to take place from November 21 until December 4.

Warrington Borough Council went to the High Court in a bid to secure an injunction to bring strikes to an end, however this proved to be unsuccessful.

Why did refuse workers take strike action?

Unite members walked out in a dispute over pay.

A spokesperson for the union said it would give its members ‘rock solid support’ as they fought for improved terms and conditions at a local level.

A poster handed out by strikers read: "We apologise that you have been affected by our strike action over the last month.

Bin strikes in Warringotn have finally ended

"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."

Why have strikes ended now?

On Wednesday, union chiefs met with council bosses, including new council leader Cllr Hans Mundry and chief executive Steven Broomhead.

Cllr Mundry said he was pleased to have come to an agreement, and a deal has been agreed which will see workers return to work tomorrow, Friday.

Details of the deal have not been confirmed, but it is understood it does not include a cash payment, but does include a 'dispute resolution payment' to cover wages for some of the time staff have been out on strike.

What has Unite said?

Unite said the deal includes a dispute resolution payment, as well as improvements to terms and conditions and the creation of a number of permanent full-time roles for those on temporary seasonal contracts.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This result was made possible by the absolute unity of our members.

“By standing together and taking industrial action, they ensured the council made a much-improved offer.

“This victory demonstrates yet again how Unite’s relentless focus on jobs, pay and conditions is achieving direct benefits for its members.”

Unite regional industrial officer Samantha Marshall said: “Full credit has to go to the workforce and the reps for their hard work and dedication in ensuring the industrial action was a success.”

What has the council said?

Cllr Mundry said: “We are pleased to draw an end to the strike action.

“We know people will want bin collections to get back to normal quickly.

“Please bear with us, as we will be collecting significant volumes of waste and recycling, while also getting waste services employees back into work.”

A council spokesman added: "There will however be significantly more waste and recycling to collect across Warrington, which means that our vehicles will become full more quickly.

Bin strikes in Warringotn have finally ended

“We will do our best to get to everyone on your standard bin collection days.

When will bins be emptied and where first?

Bin collections will resume this morning, Friday, and crews will be collecting black and blue bin waste and recycling, the council said.

A council spokesman confirmed that black bins will be emptied in Great Sankey and Penketh.

Moreover, blue bins will be emptied in Chapelford, Westbrook, Bewsey, Whitecross, Callands, Old Hall and Sankey Bridges.

Visit warrington.gov.uk/your-next-bin-collection-day to find out what bins will be emptied, and on what days where you live.

What will happen to temporary tips and extended tip hours?

On Monday, the council announced that two temporary tips were operating in Orford and at Victoria Park in Latchford.

However, in order to support bin collections, the two household waste collection points have now been stood down immediately.

READ MORE > The new temporary tips will be back open again next week - despite end to bin strikes

For now, the extended opening hours at our community recycling centres will remain the same.

Will I get a refund on my council tax?

A council spokesman said: “We understand that not having your household waste or recycling bins emptied is frustrating.

“That being said, council tax is and remains a tax. 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.”

I am a garden waste subscriber. What will happen with these collection?

A council spokesman said they will be in touch with garden waste subscribers in due course.