Leeds bin strike

[REDSOX]

The 12 week bin strike in Leeds has finally ended resulting in a victory of sorts although the devil is in the detail. The bin workers voted 79% to accept it. Check out http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/BREAKING-Leeds-binmen-strike-ends.5848422.jp.

[khetancorn]

i have not much more information about it but i have heard that leeds council leader richard brett declared that the collections of non recycable waste could be up and running by the end of this week.

[Bitter Ashes]

My understanding of the deal:
- No job cuts
- No cuts in pay
- Regular talks with the union(s)
- Demanded increase in individual productivity

That last one seems to contradict with the first one in my opinion. Surely if each worker is doing more then the council will argue that they wont need as many of them in the future? Also if it means that they're doing extra hours for the same pay, isnt that a pay cut too?

I think it would be unwise to be too critical though. The strike was coming to its 12th week and after that point the council would have been legaly allowed to sack everyone on strike and it's just before Christmas too. They have had donations from the strike fund, but it's still been a very hard 3 months for these refuse workers. The council could have been a lot more stubborn at the end and got away with it as the refuse workers got desperate, but fortuantly bowed to public opinion to reach a compromise with the workers.

So, it's an improvement and direct action from the refuse workers and public did pay off in swaying the council's descion. I dont think we could have done any more than that other than taking hostages or something, but somehow I think that path would have been a lot more trouble than it's worth lol.

[Hanel]

i have not much more information about it but i have heard that leeds council leader richard brett declared that the collections of non recycable waste could be up and running by the end of this week. :thumbup1: