The workers and members of trade union GMB have been engaged in industrial action since July 26 over demands for a 3% pay rise and fears over job losses, but planned strike action both today and on August 23 has now been suspended.
Amey, the parent company of waste management firm AmeyCespa, said it was pleased action had been suspended and was working to get services back on track.
The two parties have been engaged in talks this week and GMB has now recommended to its members that they accept Ameys new offer. However, a GMB spokesman said it would not be divulging details of the offer while union members were being consulted.
GMB member refuse workers will consider Ameys offer at a meeting this morning (August 16), while union members in the street cleaning workforce will be consulted at a meeting on Monday (August 19) at 2pm.
GMB members have been on work to rule for three weeks, which has meant employees doing no more than the minimum required by the rules of their contract.
‘We have made progress on the issue of job security and related issues and we are now in a position to put an improved pay offer to the members. We hope to be in a position to convey the members response to the company early next week.’
GMB regional officer George Patterson
They also took part in a one-day strike on August 9, which was due to be followed by strike action every Friday until October unless the dispute was settled.
Commenting yesterday, GMB regional officer George Patterson said: We met the shop stewards today (August 15) and there will now be a recommendation to the members to accept the new offer.
We have made progress on the issue of job security and related issues and we are now in a position to put an improved pay offer to the members. We hope to be in a position to convey the members response to the company early next week.
Overflowing bins
The industrial action has left bins overflowing with waste and messy streets in Liverpool town centre, leading to businesses urging visitors to take their litter home to avoid the problem escalating further.
Residents have also been experiencing delays to waste collection services, which according to Liverpool city council are around five working days behind schedule.
In a statement to residents, the council said: The council sincerely apologises for any inconvenience that you have experienced as a result of the industrial action between Amey and its workforce. Negotiations are ongoing and the council is urging both sides to find a speedy resolution.
Residents are advised to continue presenting their bins, but if they are not collected by 5pm on the day, to take them back in and present them the following day.
Amey controls Enterprise Liverpool, a partnership between Liverpool city council and Enterprise Plc, which runs the citys collections services. In June 2013, Amey also won a separate highways and street cleaning contract with the council worth 113 million.
A spokeswoman for Amey said: We are pleased that our discussions with the unions and the Mayor have resulted in GMB and Unite suspending their industrial action. We remain committed to continuing dialogue with the unions to resolve any outstanding issues and our priority now is to work with the council to get the waste collection, grounds maintenance, highways and streetscene services in the city back on track.
Register for free to comment