Gritting drivers in pay dispute

Drivers are upset over changes to the way they are paid

Gritting lorry drivers in parts of West Yorkshire are refusing to work in protest over a new pay policy.

Every year about 50 highway workers from Kirklees Council volunteer for a rota to cover gritting duties, but this year no one has signed up.

Workers said they were angry about new rules to only pay them from when they start gritting instead of when they start driving to a job.

Union members and councillors are in talks to settle the issue.

From 30 October the 24-week gritting season begins for Kirklees Council, which covers Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Batley.

Drivers usually sign up for a voluntary rota, meaning they are on standby for gritting for the season.

Pest control

But this year there are no names on the rota.

In previous years drivers were paid from the moment they were called into action, but this year the policy has changed meaning they are only paid once they actually start gritting.

Paul Holmes, of Unison, said: "Pest control workers get paid from the moment they set off, but not gritters."

He added: "A lot of disputes are on at the moment, be it the bins in Leeds, the fire strike in South Yorkshire or the gritting in Kirklees.

"They're all about the same thing - somebody wants somebody to do something that they've done in previous years, but for less money."

Mr Holmes said the drivers were losing up to £25 per job under the new pay scheme.

In a statement Kirklees Council said: "We are in contact with the union on this matter, and those negotiations are still ongoing."

At a meeting between union representatives and councillors on Tuesday, the council put forward an offer to workers. A ballot on the proposal is due to take place on Friday.