Overview

• Unite said workers voted to keep industrial action running until March 2026, reporting 99.5% support on a 72% turnout.
• Council contingency plans using agency staff and private contractors have restored weekly household rubbish collections, while kerbside recycling and garden waste remain suspended.
• Talks mediated by Acas ended without agreement in July, and the council has applied for contempt proceedings alleging breaches of an injunction restricting picket activity.
• The dispute stems from the deletion and downgrading of WRCO and driver team leader roles linked to equal‑pay constraints; Unite cites pay cuts of up to £8,000 for about 150 workers, while the council says up to 17 could lose just over £6,000.
• The authority has spent millions on cover—reported at more than £6.5 million—as redundancy consultations proceed for 121 driver team leaders and over 100 staff have already taken voluntary exit packages.