Challenge to Labour to back deal to end bin strike (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Challenge to Labour to back deal to end bin strike

November 18, 2009 12:00 AM

At the full council meeting held today (18th November) Council Leader Richard Brett outlined the current position regarding the bin strike in response to a question from opposition councillors. He finished his remarks with a direct challenge to the leader of the Labour group to back the deal.

Cllr Brett (Liberal Democrat, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill), Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Leader of Council said:

"I told council this afternoon that the joint leaders met with the unions for 75 minutes yesterday at what we considered to be a constructive meeting. Senior officers are currently meeting with them this afternoon to continue negotiations.

"If they agree to the package on offer they will be better rewarded than nearly all other similar staff across Yorkshire. As far as we are aware only Bradford offers a better deal, and they have still to go through their equal pay re-grading process.

"In return we expect them to turn up for work, to work full shifts and reach productivity levels reached on a regular basis elsewhere; indeed levels which are already met by several crews in Leeds.

"The leader of the Labour group has said he wants the strike to end so I have asked him if he will support this generous offer. He will have ample opportunity to answer that question during the course of the council meeting this afternoon, and I await his response with interest."