Refuse workers in Cumbria are going on strike again because of pay disputes.

Those employed by Allerdale Waste Services (AWS) in West Cumbria and are members of the trade unions GMB and Unite are going on strike tomorrow (May 16).

It has not yet been confirmed how long this strike will last.

The workers are demanding a pay rise of 32.6 per cent, which the employer said is unaffordable.

Residents and businesses are advised to continue presenting their domestic waste for collection, and AWS aims to collect as much as possible.

If a bin is not collected on the scheduled day, residents should bring it back in, and collection will be prioritised the next time.

During the industrial action, recycling, paper and card, and garden waste collections are suspended.

Charles Holmes, Managing Director of Allerdale Waste Services, expressed disappointment in the Union's decision for further strike action. He highlighted the 10.1% pay rise already awarded to employees, which equates to an annual salary of £27,508 for drivers and £22,165 for loaders. The requested 32.6% increase for drivers and 19.2% increase for loaders is unaffordable for AWS.

Charles added: “We have been in dialogue with Union representatives and ACAS in an attempt to resolve the matter and avoid strikes.

“This has proved unsuccessful to date.

“To minimise the impact on residents and businesses we implemented contingency plans which have seen collection crews able to pick up around 90 per cent of residual waste during the strike period, through our weekly collection service.

“We know this means that some bins have unfortunately been missed and we apologise for the inconvenience this is causing and ask that residents represent their bins the following week and they will be prioritised for collection.”

Unite regional officer Ryan Armstrong said: “The strike action will escalate this week as a direct result of Allerdale Waste and Cumberland Council refusing to resolve the issue of low pay and instead trying to undermine a lawful dispute with agency workers on far higher wages than our members are being paid.

“Despite our members playing a frontline role in keeping the area clean, they are treated with disdain by the management at Allerdale, who shamefully describe their commitment and skills “as ten a penny”.

“Cumberland Council is guilty of distorting the facts, much of the increase in pay for our members since 2020 has been a direct result of statutory increases in the minimum wage.

“The true increase above those rates is just 1.6 per cent or 16 pence an hour.

“The rates of pay between Allerdale Waste and other local refuse services are not directly comparable as drivers for Allerdale Waste must undertake an extra seven hours extra a week to receive the same rate of pay.

“The council should be focusing its efforts on getting this dispute resolved which is in the best interests of residents and the workforce alike.”