Street cleaning talks take place

Union members say they want fair working conditions

Talks are taking place to avert a strike by Liverpool's street cleaners and maintenance workers.

Members of the unions GMB and T&G are unhappy over the decision to bring in sub-contractors to ensure the city is clean for Capital of Culture year.

Extra staff should be employed directly by Enterprise Liverpool with pay and conditions, a union spokesman said.

Enterprise Liverpool is a partnership between a private company and Liverpool City Council.

The majority of road sweepers and maintenance workers in the city have voted in favour of strike action, Ian Lowes, joint spokesman for the GMB and T&G said.

The GMB union says around 98% of its members and 90% of T&G members have voted on the matter.