Tip, waste and recycling workers to ballot on strike

Tip, waste and recycling workers are being balloted for strike action over plans to cut pay, a union has said.

The GMB Union said about 60 workers could lose £2,000 each per year under Leicestershire County Council's decision to impose the move from next April.

It said council bosses walked away from talks to resolve the dispute, adding it will now proceed with a ballot, which will start in early January.

The county council said it did not take the decision lightly but had to drive down costs due to "increasing financial pressure".

The union said if its members voted in favour of industrial action, strikes could take place in March.

David Warwick, GMB organiser, said: "This is a cruel move from a council that has completely lost control of its own finances.

"To make low-paid Leicestershire workers pay the price for the failures of the council's leaders.

"GMB members will now take stock of the council's decision and are preparing to ballot for strike action in January."

Leicestershire County Council said a number of changes to the opening days of some tips were agreed after public consultation, and the move would save £300,000 per year.

A spokesperson said "a number of employees will be impacted by these changes through typically having their working hours reduced by three hours a week".

"The affected staff will be paid for a minimum of 37 hours each week, which is the same as most other council employees.

"For the majority, the reduction of hours will start in April 2025, to align with the revised summer opening times.

"We have been consulting with staff about proposed changes since July 2024 and have fully taken part in discussions with the unions in relation to them."

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