Coventry bin strike receives support from local community
Refuse workers will be going on total strike for two months
A row between bin workers and Coventry City Council continues as the local community rallies behind refuse staff.
Workers under the Unite Union have been taking part in industrial action for the past week in a dispute over pay and conditions, particularly during the Christmas period.
As part of their plan to disrupt the Council, bin workers have announced that no bins will be collected throughout February and March.
But despite the prospect of bins filling up across Coventry, the bin workers have been met with large support from the public.
Speaking to Bauer Media about the strike, Tony Conway - a resident of Coventry - said that the support for the bin workers is immeasurable.
"I would say that at this moment in time, the majority of people in the city support the bin workers, because they recognise they do a valid and vital job in the city," he said.
"They cannot understand why councillors and council officers can't settle this dispute now."
Coventry City Council is one of the highest paying local authorities in the West Midlands for Class II HGV drivers, who drive the city’s bin lorries.
As a result, the Council argues that due to stretched resources, it must commit to pay equality for all working for the council or risk the possibility of future industrial action from other sectors.
Director of Streetscene and Regulatory Services at Coventry City Council, Andrew Walster said he was disappointed at the breakdown in negotiations.
“We have made what we believe are very good offers in attempt to resolve the strike, so we are bitterly disappointed that the response has been to announce even more strike dates," he said.
“While we respect the democratic right of the Unite members to strike, it is residents and businesses that are being impacted most by their action."
In contrast, Unite regional officer Simon O’Keeffe said that they would be willing to negotiate.
He said: “Unite is committed to resolving this dispute but it takes two to enter into meaningful and productive dialogue. If the council is prepared to put forward an offer to resolve this dispute then Unite will meet them at any time, any place, anywhere.
“In the meantime the council must publicly withdraw its false claims about drivers’ pay. The council has a legal and moral duty not to unnecessarily inflame tensions at this time.”