Chester bin men to strike over Christmas period

Dec 16 2009 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

BIN men are threatening to bring chaos to Chester district by taking part in a one day strike this Friday.

The Bumpers Lane-based refuse collectors, who are unhappy with a 1% pay offer, plan to strike again on December 29, with threats of further action.

Employers Focsa say managers and backroom staff will be drafted in to cover the work meaning no disruption to collections.

Marie Saunderson, regional organiser for the GMB union, said: “Our members put in for quite a substantial pay rise but there is a little bit more to it. Our members earn £2.75 an hour less than workers doing the same job in Liverpool and Ellesmere Port so we are already way down.”

She said drivers receive £7.20 an hour while other refuse collectors earn £6.38 an hour.

Focsa, contracted by Cheshire West and Chester Council, says the union was seeking a 5% pay rise and two extra days holiday.

The company’s 1% pay offer has now been withdrawn because of the extra costs involved in providing accommodation and training to other staff who will collect the bins on strike days.

A company spokesman said: “The dispute is regrettable and avoidable. We consider the 1% offer that we made was entirely reasonable.”

Focsa hopes the dispute can still be resolved at the 11th hour. The company says the council has been kept fully informed and is “supportive” of the management’s actions.

A council spokesman stressed the bin men were not employed directly by the council.

He added: “It’s a bit of suck it and see. We don’t know if it will have any effect on us, if at all.”