Legal challenge to be heard over bin strikes

Some areas of Warrington have not had their bins emptied for weeks

A legal challenge against ongoing bin strikes in a town will be taken to the High Court later.

The action has been brought by Warrington Borough Council and will be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

The council said it remained “fully committed” to listening to trade unions locally.

The Unite union said it was “disappointing” that a Labour council was using what it described as an “anti-trade union law”.

A pay offer agreed nationally is not enough, the Unite union says

Refuse staff are currently on their fourth walkout since the beginning of October.

A further strike is proposed from 5 December to Christmas Eve.

Unite had previously said a pay offer agreed nationally was not enough and some of its members were "living hand to mouth" while some were reliant on food banks.

Regional Officer Brian Troake said: "This dispute will not be resolved by wasting taxpayers' money on costly legal challenges.

"The best way forward is for Warrington Council to get back round the negotiating table with Unite to find a solution that addresses our members' entirely justified pay concerns."

Warrington Borough Council said: “We continue to pursue the legal options available to us and have been in constant liaison with our solicitors.”

It added that because of the intended strike period in December it was “more important than ever” that the council continues to pursue legal action.

Unite members previously walked out between 3 and 16 October, 24 October and 6 November, and 8 and 20 November.

The current walkout began on 21 November and is due to end on 4 December.