Meeting to take place to try and avert Allerdale bin strikes

A meeting will take place today to try and avert bin strikes in Allerdale.

ACAS are acting as facilitator, and there will be talks between unions, Allerdale Waste Services, and Cumberland Council.

Workers within AWS, which is the private sub-contractor of the concil, have been striking for months, as they ask for parity on pay and conditions with Copeland Waste Services staff who are now part of Cumberland Council.

Meanwhile, AWS and the council say they will be hiring temporary staff, and loaders on short-term contracts to cover the summer period.

In a statement, AWS spokesperson said, “The recruitment is in no way pre-empting the outcome of negotiation and discussion with the Trade Unions regarding the industrial action. It is to ensure that the current refuse collection service is maintained.

“Should the industrial action be resolved, and employees return to work, we will still require the additional resource. Like Cumberland Council, we are keen to maintain the dialogue with the Trade Unions and welcome the involvement of ACAS."

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