Bin collection services and leisure centres in Mid Ulster are to face widespread disruption for the next four weeks as council workers go on strike.
The strike action began on Monday when Mid Ulster District Council said 40% of bin collections were affected, adding that the Dungannon area would be the most 'adversely impacted'. Disruption is expected until Sunday 21 August, as the council said bin collections would be ‘heavily impacted’.
The industrial action comes as a result of a pay dispute between the council and UNITE the Union. A spokesperson for the local authority said the strike comes despite a ‘significantly enhanced pay offer’ being offered to workers.
READ MORE : Coalisland incident leads to six arrests for various offences
While the council said the vast majority of bins will not be emptied during the four-week period, it advised residents to leave their bins out anyway.
“The localised industrial action decided upon by members of UNITE the Union will take place across a four-week period from Monday 25 July to Sunday 21 August, and will largely affect bin collection services and two leisure centres in Cookstown and Magherafelt,” the spokesperson said.
“From Monday 25 July, bin collections will be heavily impacted. While the Council will endeavour to collect bins where possible depending on the availability of staff on the given day, the likelihood is that regrettably, the vast majority of bins will not be emptied.
“While no collections can be guaranteed, residents are being advised to leave their bins out for collection on the normal day by 7.30am and they will be emptied where there are sufficient crews to deliver a service.
“If bins are not emptied, residents are being asked to take their bins back in from the kerbside and place them out again on their next scheduled collection day, where again they will be emptied if there are sufficient crews available.
“Where we have not been able to collect black bins during the four week period of industrial action, we will accept up to a maximum of 2 additional waste bags on the next scheduled collection day during the week commencing Monday 22 August.”
Recycling centres are expected to remain open during the strike, however the swimming pool and health suite in Cookstown Leisure Centre and Greenvale Leisure centre in Magherafelt will remain closed.
The council anticipated that all other services and facilities including cemeteries, play facilities, parks, arts and cultural facilities, will operate as normal.
"The Council wishes to apologise to its residents for the regrettable and unavoidable impact on services as a result of the unilateral industrial action taken by UNITE the Union, despite exhaustive discussions and a significantly enhanced pay offer on the part of the Council. It remains committed to engaging with the Joint Trade Union side in a spirit of co-operation and good faith."
READ NEXT:
Gym owner opens up on life after prison for one-punch killing and his battle with alcoholism
NI dad’s warning after family home destroyed in house fire started by phone charger
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
