Refuse workers in Allerdale are set to go on strike again from today, May 16 – for an unconfirmed period – in a dispute over pay.
Members of the Unite and GMB unions say that staff of Allerdale Waste Services are underpaid compared to other refuse collectors in the Cumberland Council area – a claim strongly disputed by the authority.
The union said workers were paid £10.90 an hour as loaders and drivers were paid £11.89.
Allerdale Waste Services is a wholly owned trading company of Cumberland Council – formerly Allerdale Borough Council – and provide waste collection services for the authority.
Cumberland Council has released a statement today to say that employees received a 10.1 per cent pay rise on April 1.
It said: “It was based on the Foundation Living Wage, higher than the National Living Wage. This represents a 21.1 per cent increase for loaders and a 23.9 per cent increase for drivers since Allerdale Waste Services took over the waste contract in 2020. The trade unions balloted their members for strike action, demanding up to a 32.6 per cent pay increase, which Allerdale Waste Services cannot afford.
“It is important to note that Allerdale Waste Services employees have salaries comparable to or higher than other waste services within the Cumberland area. A 32.6 per cent pay increase would be financially unfeasible and create disharmony in other service areas.”
It said the 10.1 per cent pay rise already awarded to employees, which equates to an annual salary of £27,508 for drivers and £22,165 for loaders.
What should people and businesses do while refuse collectors are on strike?
It is not known how long refuse collectors will be on strike for. The authority said people and businesses are advised to continue presenting their domestic waste for collection, and the service is aiming to collect as much as possible.
If a bin is not collected on the scheduled day, people should bring it back in, and collection will be prioritised the next time.
Paper and card recycling and garden waste
During the industrial action, recycling, paper and card, and garden waste collections are suspended.
Residents can use the Bring Sites in the area for recycling glass, cans, plastics, paper, and card. These sites will be serviced more regularly. Details of these sites can be found on the Cumberland Council website: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/bins-recycling-and-street-cleaning/recycling/recycling-banks
Household Waste Recycling Centres
Household Waste Recycling Centres are also available for waste and recyclable disposal, including green waste.
Site locations and opening times are provided on the Cumberland Council website. Permits are required for van, pickup, flatbed, or twin-axle trailer use at HWRCs. Details can again be found on the Cumberland Council website: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/bins-recycling-and-street-cleaning/recycling/household-waste-recycling-centres-hwrcs
Charles Holmes, managing director of Allerdale Waste Services, said he was disappointed in the unions’ decision for further strike action.
He said: : “We have been in dialogue with union representatives and ACAS in an attempt to resolve the matter and avoid strikes. This has proved unsuccessful to date.
“To minimise the impact on residents and businesses we implemented contingency plans which has seen collection crews able to pick up around 90 per cent of residual waste during the strike period, through our weekly collection service.
“We know this means that some bins have unfortunately been missed and we apologise for the inconvenience this is causing and ask that residents represent their bins the following week and they will be prioritised for collection. We thank the public for remaining patient during this challenging time.”
This industrial action does not affect waste services in the Carlisle and Copeland areas.
