Strike prompted by bitter pay row

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By Louise Hosie BBC News, Leeds Rubbish piled up in some streets. Picture by Muriel Rogers

The 11-week bin strike by refuse workers and street cleaners in Leeds was one of the longest periods of industrial action staged in the city in recent years.

Hundreds of workers took to the picket lines in protest at proposed changes to the council's pay and grading structure - a move which unions said could lead to their members' yearly wages being cut by as much as £5,000.

Leeds City Council insisted the changes were necessary in order to bring in equal pay legislation and increase productivity.

But workers were incensed and vowed to fight the implementation of the measures.

Staff walked out on 7 September in the first day of what was to become a bitter and protracted dispute.

Joint council leader Richard Brett described the situation as "deeply regrettable", and accused the workers of turning their backs on the negotiating table by making unrealistic demands.

But unions hit back, criticising the authority's use of private contractors to deal with the walkout, and saying they had been left with no option but to strike.

As rubbish began to mount up in the city, accusations and recriminations also gathered apace and the dispute intensified.

Workers marched through Leeds during the strike <a class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_yorkshire/8369143.stm">Bin strike ends as offer accepted</a>

Police confirmed they were investigating a "threatening" telephone call made to Mr Brett, and security at his home was tightened after bags of rubbish were dumped at his front door.

Reports of vandalism and intimidation began to circulate and fears were raised over the public health effects.

The council said it would only be willing to enter talks if the strike was called off, but the unions held firm in their resolve and the stalemate continued.

Workers' anger was compounded when the council revealed it was to start a tender process for a contract to be awarded in 2011, and a senior official suggested the city's waste service could be privatised.

The council said its current bin service was "inefficient", with collection rates 20% less efficient than the average council.

'Propaganda war'

But Tony Pearson, of the Unison union, branded this a "propaganda war", which he claimed had been started by the council in order to privatise the service.

Events in the West Yorkshire city were now beginning to receive national attention.

Leeds MP Hilary Benn called on the authority to drop preconditions for negotiations and Prime Minister Gordon Brown would later urge both sides to sit down and talk.

By the middle of October there appeared to be a chink of light at the end of the tunnel, as negotiations finally began.

However, any hope of a swift resolution at this stage were dashed, as a revised package by the council was rejected by an overwhelming 92%.

The offer was a reduction in the pay cuts originally faced by some workers, but unions said members were unhappy with the attached condition of "increased productivity targets".

Revised offer

As the dispute rumbled on, the council began advertising for temporary staff to help cope with the backlog.

Some residents reported that their rubbish had not been collected since the strike started.

Meanwhile, Robbie Clare and Josie Martin, who were both on the picket line, said they feared they may have to cancel their wedding if the strike continued past Christmas.

By week nine joint council leaders Richard Brett and Andrew Carter held face-to-face talks with union officials.

Striking workers were by now beginning to feel the pinch, with more than 100 returning to work.

The middle of November heralded another round of talks which were this time described as "productive and positive" by unions.

A secret ballot was held and, on 23 November - exactly 11 weeks to the day since the strike began - a further revised offer by the council was accepted.