Refuse workers in Wrexham are being balloted on strike action, with their union Unite claiming changes in working patterns by the town’s council will see them lose half a day’s pay.
The concerns focus on a change by Wrexham County Borough Council to the way its street scene operation team is given overtime, impacting refuse, parks, gardens and highways workers.
While workers previously had additional days off over Christmas and could volunteer for overtime, the changes would mean ‘they now have to compulsorily work Saturdays’ or face disciplinary action, says Unite, which also claims the changes have been ‘forced through without any consultation’.
The ballot involving more than 100 Unite members closes on August 5, with any industrial action taking place over the August bank holiday. Potential strikes over Christmas are also being considered by the union’s members.
‘Any bin strike in Wrexham would be extremely disruptive’ said Unite regional officer Simon Ellis.’
The council’s interim chief executive Alwyn Jones is ‘extremely disappointed’ by the strike ballot.
Mr Jones disputes claims that the union and staff had not been consulted about the changes, which he says would save the council £100,000 amid ‘the difficult financial position public services find themselves in’.
‘Wrexham County Borough Council has worked hard to save jobs and continue to support in-house delivery of public services especially these frontline services,’ he added.
