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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Bin strike ends as offer accepted | Bin strike ends as offer accepted |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Refuse workers in Leeds have voted to end the city's bin strike after walking out in a pay dispute 11 weeks ago. | Refuse workers in Leeds have voted to end the city's bin strike after walking out in a pay dispute 11 weeks ago. |
| The decision comes after a series of talks between council officials and unions. | The decision comes after a series of talks between council officials and unions. |
| Hundreds of workers walked out on 7 September over claims by the unions that a new pay system would have led to a wage cut of up to £5,000. | Hundreds of workers walked out on 7 September over claims by the unions that a new pay system would have led to a wage cut of up to £5,000. |
| The dispute has seen rubbish piling up in the streets, prompting concerns about rats and health hazards. | The dispute has seen rubbish piling up in the streets, prompting concerns about rats and health hazards. |
| The strike centred on union claims the council planned to cut refuse collectors' salaries from February 2011 following the introduction of equal pay legislation. | The strike centred on union claims the council planned to cut refuse collectors' salaries from February 2011 following the introduction of equal pay legislation. |
| 'Good news' | 'Good news' |
| In October, workers rejected a revised offer put forward by the authority but negotiations continued. | In October, workers rejected a revised offer put forward by the authority but negotiations continued. |
| At a secret ballot of about 600 union members on Monday, 79% voted in favour of the council's latest offer. | At a secret ballot of about 600 union members on Monday, 79% voted in favour of the council's latest offer. |
| The offer means 20 staff will get a pay cut but most will get small increases, provided they meet productivity targets. | |
| Council leader Richard Brett said he was "delighted". | Council leader Richard Brett said he was "delighted". |
| Our immediate priority is to get staff back to work and a full service restored as soon as possible Council leader Richard Brett Strike prompted by bitter row | Our immediate priority is to get staff back to work and a full service restored as soon as possible Council leader Richard Brett Strike prompted by bitter row |
| He said: "This is good news for us, our workers and the people of Leeds. | He said: "This is good news for us, our workers and the people of Leeds. |
| "We have been able to work up slightly amended proposals which completely eradicate pay losses for many workers. | "We have been able to work up slightly amended proposals which completely eradicate pay losses for many workers. |
| "We will also continue to work with other members of refuse staff who stand to lose money to see what can be done to close any pay gap. | "We will also continue to work with other members of refuse staff who stand to lose money to see what can be done to close any pay gap. |
| "In the meantime, they will still benefit from pay protection until 2011." | "In the meantime, they will still benefit from pay protection until 2011." |
| Residents thanked | Residents thanked |
| Mr Brett said the council would now "get on with modernising the service and begin to achieve the productivity improvements and efficiencies we require". | Mr Brett said the council would now "get on with modernising the service and begin to achieve the productivity improvements and efficiencies we require". |
| He added: "However, our immediate priority is to get staff back to work and a full service restored as soon as possible." | He added: "However, our immediate priority is to get staff back to work and a full service restored as soon as possible." |
| Neil Derrick, regional officer of the GMB union, said: "Our members have voted emphatically to return to work because they recognise the victory that their solidarity has delivered. | Neil Derrick, regional officer of the GMB union, said: "Our members have voted emphatically to return to work because they recognise the victory that their solidarity has delivered. |
| "Twelve weeks ago they faced savage pay cuts and privatisation but today they have agreed to return to work on Wednesday with both these threats removed. | "Twelve weeks ago they faced savage pay cuts and privatisation but today they have agreed to return to work on Wednesday with both these threats removed. |
| "We would like to place on record our thanks to the people of Leeds who despite the inconvenience they suffered have recognised the just cause of the workers." | "We would like to place on record our thanks to the people of Leeds who despite the inconvenience they suffered have recognised the just cause of the workers." |