Council to pursue legal options over extended bin strike action

Warrington Borough Council has written to trade union Unite, through its solicitors, setting out what it believes to be a “clear case” for why strike action should be “immediately cancelled”.

Members of Unite are striking in Warrington as part of a national pay dispute. The fourth phase of bin strike action is expected to take place until 4 December.

This follows the third phase of industrial action by refuse workers, which began on 8 November and ended earlier this week (20 November).

The council said that with “deep regret”, it had received no assurance or confirmation that further strikes would be cancelled.

It revealed it is therefore taking “further steps, in line with advice from our solicitors, and will pursue the legal options available to us”.

The council added: “We have always said that further strike action has been an unnecessary and disproportionate measure given the resolution of the 2023/24 pay award negotiations. We strongly maintain this position and are supported in this position by the national Local Government Employers.”

Unite has blamed the council for a fourth phase of strike action accusing council leaders of “dither and delay”.

Announcing the extension of strike action “into the festive season” on 10 November, the union 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.”

The council noted that its formal channels for all of its recognised Trade Unions “remain open for any local issues to be raised and discussed”.

Unite has been approached for an up-to-date comment.

Update: Warrington Council has confirmed that it has commenced legal proceedings in the High Court. Its case will be heard next week (28 November) at the Royal Courts of Justice. 

This follows Unite "stating their intention" to conduct another period of strike action from 5 December until 24 December. 

The council said: "Notwithstanding the legal action we are pursuing, we remain fully committed to discussing and listening to the concerns of all of our Trade Unions locally, through our proper channels. This has been, and always will be, the case."

Lottie Winson