Liverpool's street cleaners "have had enough" of low pay, and have called on the council to "stand up" for its workers.
More than 80 workers from Liverpool Streetscene Ltd (LSSL) formed picket lines outside the company's depots in Old Swan and Kirkby today, January 25, as they continue to strike in a dispute over pay.
The workers, who are principally employed as street, park and cemetery cleaners by the Liverpool Council-owned service, are seeking a pay increase of 4%, plus an additional £1,000 to offset the cost of living crisis.
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Unite regional officer Brian Troake said: "Over the last few months we have had an offer of £1,925 per person, which is an increase of £1 per hour. At a time when inflation is running high, it's a real-terms pay cut. This is on the back of 12 years of pay cuts by the Tory government, which has seen our members' pay reduced in real terms by 30% during that time.
"Our members have simply had enough. We have got members relying on food banks and it's about time the council stopped the Tory-style strike breaking tactics ."
He accused Liverpool Council of "an act of disrespect", as he claims refuse collection vehicles and sweepers have been removed from the Old Swan and Kirkby depots while the strike takes place. In retaliation, striking workers have vowed to protest at local rubbish tips.
Dave McGrath, a street cleaner who works a 4am shift in Liverpool City Centre, said: "We cover this city 24 hours, working seven days a week on a shift process, and we just don't get any recognition. We know how much the city relies on students and every year that increases. Every year we have stags and hens and football fans, but our workforce is the lowest it has ever been. We're often having to cover other shift patterns and it's just taken for granted.
"We have got to be able to pay our own bills. Otherwise it's just not worth getting out of bed in the morning."
Joe Jones said: "I have had to take another job on just to make ends meet. So when I finish work here, I go somewhere else, looking after disabled people. It's very taxing."
A spokesperson for Liverpool Street Scene Services Ltd said: “We are surprised and disappointed at the proposed industrial action Unite are intending to take. We have always worked in partnership with them and the majority union for our staff, GMB, so it is sad to hear that Unite have adopted to take this approach when the national pay award, via the NJC, was agreed and awarded to their members back in November 2022.
“This rise of £1,925 equates to a £1 per hour increase with an additional 4% for any additional allowances, meaning all our staff have seen their annual salary rise between 7%-12%. Those working various shift patterns also benefited from the increased hourly rate on their weekend and irregular hours working. In recognition of their performance everyone was also given an extra day’s holiday for the coming year.
“Outside of any inflationary pay awards, our staff continue to receive competitive rates of pay for the roles undertaken when benchmarked locally and nationally against comparable roles, drivers, HGV drivers and operative positions, as well as generous terms and conditions .
“All of these points have been made to Unite and we continue to talk to the union in the hope a resolution can be found.”
Industrial action will continue until Saturday, January 28, with further strikes possible if an agreement cannot be reached.
Brian said: "We recognise that the council is in financial distress however that shouldn't be inflicted upon our members who are residents of this city themselves. They should be standing up to Tory cuts and defending the people of the city.
"Our members' resolve to win this dispute remains as strong as ever. We will be consulting with members and issueing further strike dates over the coming days and we will keep on fighting until we reach a negotiated agreement."
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