WARRINGTON Borough Council has condemned the announcement of a fourth bin strike.

Trade union UNITE has announced that it plans to extend its ongoing industrial action in a fourth wave.

The first wave of strikes began on October 3, and the current phase is due to end on November 20.

Warrington Guardian: The bin strikes have been ongoing since October 3The bin strikes have been ongoing since October 3 (Image: Newsquest)

Industrial action was being taken as part of a national pay dispute - though this concluded with an agreement being reached, UNITE members in Warrington will continue their strike action.

According to a press release from the trade union: "The 70 plus workers say the national pay offer of a flat rate increase of £1,925 is not good enough.

"The offer is below the rate of inflation and amounts to a real terms pay cut. 

"But a complete lack of urgency shown by the council towards resolving this dispute is needlessly delaying a resolution."

The next wave of strikes is planned to take place between November 21 and December 4.

Responding to the union's claims, a Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: "We don’t recognise the claims being made by UNITE about so-called ‘delays’ in discussions, as we have been in several discussions with union officials this week and previously.

“While the national pay dispute has now concluded, with UNITE’s agreement, we continue to look at ways that we can bring an end to the strike action in Warrington.

“A fourth wave of strike action would be entirely unacceptable, disproportionate and would continue the disruption to our residents and businesses. 

"We again call on UNITE to cancel their current strike, and any further plans for strike action, while discussions between the council and our recognised trade unions continue in earnest.”

Warrington Guardian: Residents are being advised to speak to neighbours about sharing bin space amid the strike actionResidents are being advised to speak to neighbours about sharing bin space amid the strike action (Image: Newsquest)

Tips in Warrington have extended their opening hours to allow residents to dispose of their household waste.

When asked whether a lack of bin collections would amount to a council tax refund, the council said: "We understand that not having your household waste or recycling bins emptied is frustrating.

"That being said, council tax is and remains a tax.

"That means households legally have to pay their council tax bill, even if services are disrupted, or even if people don’t use certain services.

"A mechanism for this type of refund does not exist.

"We are working on plans to make sure that a waste and recycling catch-up operation happens after the strike action."