BINS in Northwich and Winsford could be left unemptied after Christmas due to the threat of local strike action.

Refuse collectors across Cheshire West are set to down tools on January 4 as part of industrial action over pay and conditions. The strikes are not part of the wider industrial action currently sweeping the country,

The LDRS understands depots at Winsford and Ellesmere Port will be impacted and that the strike was initially pencilled in for December 27 but was delayed.

Unions and the council are so far staying tight-lipped on the exact details of any further negotiations, but the LDRS has been told unions wanted a 12 per cent rise. The council originally offered them 7.25 per cent and then increased it to 8.4 per cent.

Sources claim this would still leave some staff being paid below the living wage, which is due to rise to £10.42 in April. They said it would also leave some on lower pay than those council staff currently on the lowest pay band.

The picture involving refuse workers across Cheshire West and Chester is complex, owing to the fact the service has previously been privatised and brought back under council control. Some staff are now on different contracts with different pay and conditions.

The GMB union said it balloted its members over the pay offer by Cheshire West Recycling – the company owned by Cheshire West and Chester Council which runs the service. But the offer was rejected by its members by an overwhelming majority.

A spokesman for the union, said: “GMB members at Cheshire West Recycling Limited voted overwhelmingly for strike action in a dispute over pay.

“We are now holding a consultative ballot with members on a revised offer from the employer. If this offer is rejected, the planned action will proceed in January. Our members have been hit hard in the cost-of-living crisis and deserve a decent pay rise.”

The council said it is still in negotiations to avert the strikes. A spokesman said: “Discussions with the relevant trades unions and workforce are ongoing, with Cheshire West Recycling still actively working to reach agreement and avoid any industrial action.”

The council declined to expand further on its response.