Warrington bin strikes: Unite to continue third round of action

The current strike is due to end on 6 November, with more action due to start two days later

A third round of strikes by refuse collectors, leaving bins unemptied in a town, will go ahead despite some unions agreeing to a national pay offer.

Warrington Council said Unite should "immediately cancel" planned action but the union said it would continue to fight for improved conditions.

The next strikes are to be held between 8-20 November, two days after the current walkout is due to end.

Unite said members had "rock solid support".

Warrington Borough Council said other unions, including GMB and Unison, had recently confirmed they would not be taking any further strike action.

Workers previously downed tools between 3 and 16 October, while a second strike, which began on 24 October, is set to end on 6 November.

The council has previously said the walkouts were "linked to national pay negotiations" and were "not about local conditions", which was disputed by Unite.

"The council is asking Unite not to take further strike action, since agreement on this year's national pay award - the basis of Unite's strike action - has been reached," a council representative said

However, Unite said the authority could agree to better local terms and conditions if it wanted to, separate to the national negotiations, and members in Warrington deserved "fair pay".

Unite National Officer, Clare Keogh, said the dispute in the town would continue, adding: "The union will be giving our members rock solid support where they are fighting for improved terms and conditions at the local level".