Leeds Bin Strike Causes Heatwave Chaos

Striking refuse workers are causing a stink in Leeds after the backlog of uncollected rubbish has started to smell in the warm weather. Refuse workers are currently striking for a third time, so some areas have had rubbish lining their streets for as long as three weeks.

Some of the worst hit residents reside in the Headingley area of the city and have not had any of their rubbish collected since 16th April. Paul Harris, 20, of Eastcourt Terrace, lives with five housemates and is one of the many residents who have been forced to store rubbish inside the house since the strike.

Mr Harris said: "There is too much rubbish to put out on the street, it is causing access problems for pavements and roads. We have been forced to store it under the stairs and in the hall as the bins are full outside. It is not very pleasant living in a house full of rubbish, as it starts to stink, especially in this weather."

Indeed, the weather in Leeds is currently much warmer than average for this time of year. The temperature was recently recorded at 22C in the shade, which is significantly higher than the average of 14C.

Steve Smith, of Leeds City Council, is responsible for refuse collections and apologised for the lack of bin collections during the strikes. He said: “The GMB is deliberately making life difficult for us and residents by continuing its industrial action and work to rule.” However, Mr Smith and a number of other council officials were keen to reassure residents that all backlogs of rubbish would be removed by Sunday. They also said that normal refuse collection services should resume by Monday.

The refuse collection strikes are due to a pay and grading review that is currently being carried out by all local authorities. The GMB union has stated that it wants the pay for its women workers increased, so it matches the rate paid to their male counterparts. However, they claim the council's current pay review offer would actually mean that men's pay would be reduced to be the same level as their female colleagues. GMB regional organiser Bill Chard told the council that the strikes would continue until this matter was resolved. He said: "This action will not only continue, in fact it will multiply."

Source:

BBC

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