Tips across the region are set to close over Christmas and New Year as workers go on strike.
Waste workers at 22 tip sites run by Veolia will begin industrial action on Wednesday, December 28, with the initial round of action continuing until Saturday, December 31. There are then further strikes planned beginning on Monday, January 2 until Saturday, January 7 and again from Sunday, January 15 until Saturday, January 21.
The action is being held as Unite members employed by Veolia in Merseyside fight for a better pay offer. The union has accused the company of being "scrooge-like" for only offering a 20p increase for its workers.
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Unite says the majority of the workers are paid just £9.50 an hour, including those who have a HGV class two driving licence, with class one HGV drivers receiving just £11.87 an hour.
The tip closures have sparked concerns of an increase in fly tipping among some residents in St Helens. One person told the ECHO : "I think it's a terrible time for the skips to close, people will have more rubbish than usual over Christmas, and if they have nowhere to take it I think some will just dump it."
While another added: "I hope the council are prepared for an increase in fly tipping."
Not all believe the action will lead directly to an increase in fly tipping however, one person said: "The people who fly tip would do it whether tips are open or not."
In response to the concerns, St Helens Borough Council issued guidance for households. A spokesperson said: "Veolia, who operate the HWRCs across the Liverpool City Region, are undertaking industrial action from Wednesday 28 December to Saturday 7 January and Sunday 15 to Saturday 21 January.
"All regional HWRCs will be closed during this time, including the three sites in St Helens and those in neighbouring Halton and Knowsley.
"Regional waste transfer stations and material recovery facilities will remain open, but may be affected by proposed strike action. Fortunately, because St Helens Borough Council operates kerbside sorting, local recycling collections will not be affected. Residual waste or brown bin collections will also be unaffected.
"Residents are asked to temporarily store excess recycling that they might normally take to the HWRCs, as recycling collections are not able to take additional side waste.
"There will be changes to collections over Christmas and New Year due to the Bank Holidays. Check your collection dates, as well as changes to opening hours for all council services over the festive period at www.sthelens.gov.uk/christmasopening."
A Veolia spokesperson said: "We recognise the hard work of our teams in Merseyside and Halton in delivering essential public services for the community and this is reflected in our improved package for 2022/2023, covering both pay and conditions.
"We remain committed to engage in constructive discussions with Unite the Union and its members to find a resolution for our staff and avoid disruption to services.”
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