Cardiff waste collection strikes to end this week as workers are balloted on further action

Ted Peskett, local democracy reporter

Bin strikes in Cardiff which have seen recycling bags piling up across the city are set to end this week.

Unite confirmed that its members at Cardiff Council will end their 11-weeks of strike action on November 26, but said there could be more disruption to services on the horizon.

The union said it is in the process of balloting members at Cardiff Council for a new round of strikes over a number of issues around management practices.

If members vote in favour of industrial action, walkouts are expected to take place after Christmas.

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “Cardiff Council have completely failed to negotiate a resolution to the current dispute.

“Our members are angrier than ever.

“Unite is now balloting on a range of local issues with more strike action and disruption to council services likely.

“Unite support for our members at Cardiff Council is unwavering and the workers will continue to receive the union’s support.”

September

The collection of hygiene waste and garden waste has been affected across Cardiff since Unite members at the council started striking on September 4.

Mixed recycling collections have also been affected in certain areas of the city, with green recycling bags piling up on some streets over the past month.

Cardiff Council argues that the strike mandate that Unite has in Cardiff relates specifically to a nationally negotiated pay award.

Earlier this month, the council said any discussions on the pay award were taking place with all the trade unions covered by the pay award and the national employers for local government services.

Meetings

The local authority also held a number of meetings with Unite through various forums, both locally and through the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) to try to seek a way forward with the union.

A Cardiff Council spokesperson said at the time: “There has also been communication with Unite at a local and regional level throughout the period of industrial action.

“In addition, the council has met with Unite and its other recognised trade unions through its usual Trade Union Partnership arrangements to discuss any matters that Unite wish to raise that are not nationally negotiated.

“On the issues which were raised in those meetings, we have made some suggestions which we hope could secure a way forward.”