Unite strike at Wrexham Council resolved – bin collections set to restart from Monday

Update: Wrexham Council have issued a statement, copied in full below, confirming striking staff will ‘return to work on Monday’.

Following seven weeks of strike action, Unite – following a ballot of its members – has withdrawn industrial action and accepted the offer from Wrexham Council.

This afternoon , Unite informed the council that its members had voted to accept the offer, call off the action and return to work on Monday (October 30).

Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, said: “During the time of the strike, it has been difficult for everyone, including the staff who have continued to work, but I’m pleased we’ve been able to find a solution that will see staff return to work.

“We now want to move forward together and get services back to normal as soon as possible for the people of Wrexham.”

What does this mean for your bin collections?

We know that, despite best efforts over the last few weeks of the strike, we haven’t managed to collect all waste and recycling.

Therefore next week (October 30-November 3), we’ll be doing our best to give everyone a black bin AND recycling collection, on their normal collection day.

Please bear with us, as these collections will be heavier than normal, resulting in our vehicles becoming full sooner.

However, we’ll do our best to get to everyone.

The plan for the following week (the week starting November 6) is that we’ll return to normal (pre-strike) collection calendars (including garden waste).

Councillor Pritchard said: “We know people will want bin collections to get back to normal quickly, so we’re going to spend next week trying to clear everyone’s black bins and recycling, to allow us to return to normal collections the following week.

“Please bear with us as we’ll be collecting significant volumes of waste whilst also getting employees back into work, catching up and re-organising our bin wagons and teams.

“We’ll issue further updates next week.

“We know this has been a really difficult time for everyone, and I’d like to thank households for their patience during the strike.”

Update: Unite have confirmed the strike at Wrexham Council is over ‘with immediate effect’.

The statement from Unite issued this lunchtime is below:

Following seven weeks of strike action at Wrexham Council, Unite members have voted to accept a deal that improves their terms and conditions in a number of areas. The strike action, which resulted in major disruption to council services, will now end with immediate effect.

As a result of intensive negotiations between Unite and Wrexham Council a new 9 point offer was tabled by Local Authority leadership on Tuesday. Following a ballot of all Unite members within Wrexham Council the deal has been now been accepted.

Sharon Graham, Unite General Secretary said; “This deal for Wrexham workers was only achieved by our members remaining united throughout the strike action. If they had not taken a stand then nothing in this deal would have been achieved. This is yet another example of Unite delivering for its members in the workplace”.

The deal is complex but includes a new pay scale for the lowest-paid refuse workers alongside protection for bank holiday working. The Council has also committed to reviewing a number of other pay-related issues in advance of next year’s budget.

Simon Ellis, Unite Regional Officer said: “I would like to pay tribute to all our members in Wrexham Council who stood on their picket lines, day after day. This deal is complex and will benefit workers in different departments in different ways. Our members understand this and their support for each other throughout this dispute has been inspirational. By remaining united they have forced Wrexham Council to reconsider its position and table this improved offer”.

Original information below…

Council Leader Mark Pritchard respond personally to part of the above statement, saying, “I am disappointed with the Regional Officer’s comments.

“I can assure Simon, and everyone, Unite have not forced Wrexham Council to consider anything, and the council has not been forced into anything.

“Through this difficult time, you succeed via mediation, respect and discussion. I was surprised at the nature of the comment from someone in the position he holds.”

Wrexham.com understands that the Unite strike over pay at Wrexham Council has been resolved following a ballot of members.

More shortly.