Cardiff bin strike to end but more disruption possible

11 weeks of strike action by council workers will end on 26 November

Bin strikes which have seen recycling bags piling up across Cardiff are set to end.

Unite confirmed its members at Cardiff council will finish 11 weeks of strike action on 26 November, but added more disruption to services is possible.

The union is in the process of balloting for a new round of strikes across the city over management practice issues.

If members vote in favour, walkouts are expected after Christmas.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham told the Local Democracy Reporting Service, "Cardiff council have completely failed to negotiate a resolution to the current dispute.

"Our members are angrier than ever.

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

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"Our support for our members at Cardiff council is unwavering," she added.

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

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 has argued that the strike mandate held by Unite in Cardiff relates specifically to a nationally negotiated pay award.

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

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 it wishes 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."