Deal struck to call off long-running bin strikes

Some residents have not had collections for several weeks

An agreement has been reach to end long-running strikes affecting bin collections in Warrington.

Staff first walked out at the beginning of October and some in the Cheshire town have not had collections for several weeks.

Warrington Council said it had reached agreement with Unite union members on various local issues and collections can now resume.

Unite said it had secured an improved deal from the council.

Staff first walked out in October

The union previously said a nationally-agreed pay-rise was not enough.

The council said bin collections will resume from Friday.

It said there will be “significantly more” waste and recycling across the town which means vehicles will become full more quickly.

It said it would try to reach everyone on their standard bin collection days, with all collection days published on its website.

Council leader Hans Mundry said he was "pleased to draw an end to the strike action".

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the result was due to "the absolute unity" of the members.

"By standing together and taking industrial action, they ensured the council made a much-improved offer," she said.

Strikes took between 3 to 16 October, 24 October to 6 November and 8 to 20 November and 21 November to 4 December.

The council lost a legal bid to end the strikes last week and a fifth round of action began on Monday (5 December).

This was due to end on Christmas Eve.