Rugby bin collectors and street cleaners go on strike

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Refuse collectors and street cleaners have gone on strike in Rugby in a dispute over pay



The industrial action by Unite members began at 00:01 BST on Tuesday and is due to end on 10 May. However, the union said further action could take place.

The trade union said the workers were some of the lowest paid compared with neighbouring councils.

Rugby Borough Council said a review of job roles would be completed in May.

Unite said the local authority had "dragged its feet for more than a year" over a pay deal with street cleaners, HGV lorry drivers and loaders.

The union said the starting salary for a street cleaner in Rugby begins at £17,100 and reaches £19,200 after five years of increments, while a loader's annual wage begins at £19,200 and reaches £21,300 after five years, while drivers earn £21,300 and their pay reaches £23,400 after five years.

Striking refuse collector Robert Thomas [pictured], who has worked for the authority for 26 years, said by the time he has paid his bills, and done a "basic" shop, "all your money is gone".

"It is a time when we need to stand and get a decent pay rise from the council," he said.

As the cost of living increases, the workers were demanding a "significant uplift" as they were now struggling, with some using food banks, the union said.

"Rugby Borough Council should hang its head in shame," Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said.

"Instead of recognising that a pay increase is an absolute necessity as living costs spiral upwards, the council has dragged its feet for over a year."

Driver and Unite union shop steward Clifford Hancox said pay rates were "not right for this day and age," and that workers were prepared to take action "for as long as it takes".

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Strikes do not work. The money lost will never be recovered. There are better and easier ways.

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Rugby household waste to still get collected amid strikes say council



Rugby Borough Council (RBC) have said households will still have their black-lidded bins collected. It comes after Unite announced a two-week strike action leaving residents with no bin collection services.

It was originally reported, all bins would be affected as well as street cleaning and collections of bulky waste. However, RBC have now announced they will use their limited resources on refuse collections.

They are asking locals to continue putting out their black-lidded bins on their usual collection days but reminding everyone garden waste and recycling is currently suspended. It is advised for people to make sure their bins are out by 7am on collection days.

A spokesperson has said: "If we do not collect your black bin by 7pm on the scheduled collection day, please accept our apologies and put out your bin for collection by 7am on your next scheduled collection day." The ongoing strike started on Tuesday, April 26 and is currently only due to last until May 10, 2022. You can find out more information here.

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They are asking locals to continue putting out their black-lidded bins on their usual collection days

We've all heard that one before!

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Rugby bin collection and street cleaning strike to end



An agreement has been reached to end a strike by bin collectors and street cleaners following a dispute over pay.

Members of the Unite union voted to take action in April, claiming the workers were some of the lowest paid compared with neighbouring councils.

Rugby Borough Council said it was pleased an offer of a higher pay ceiling, plus additional payments, had been accepted.

The union described the settlement as a "significant increase".

Workers are due to return to work from Tuesday.

The council said an agreement had also been reached to increase working hours.

Council leader Seb Lowe said as a result: "We can all look forward to a cleaner borough moving forward."

He also said he wanted to "sincerely thank all of the refuse, recycling and street cleaning staff who chose to work through the period of strike action and also the council staff who were redeployed to support the continuation of refuse collections".

The result is a big improvement to workers' pay and conditions, Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said.

"Our union is prepared to fight for workers during the cost of living crisis," she added.

The offer accepted by the union will result in additional payments for refuse drivers and a new pay ceiling of £30,940.

Refuse loaders will see changes to overtime payments and tasks allocated and their total pay will rise, to up to £24,018.

The pay for street cleaners and their drivers will rise to up to £24,587.

Unite regional officer Zoe Mayou said: "The street cleaners, HGV lorry drivers and loaders showed courage by choosing to take strike action. I'm very pleased that their bravery has paid off."