Recycling collections start again

The council hired nearly 60 workers to get recycling collections moving

Recycling bins are to be emptied in Leeds for the first time since a bin strike began in September after a council drive to hire temporary staff.

More than 450 people applied for 50 vacancies when the jobs were advertised at the start of November. Nearly 20 drivers and 40 bin men have been hired.

As a result, a monthly collection of green bins will take place from Monday.

The strike over the council's proposed restructuring of pay grades has now entered its 11th week.

Leeds Council said it now had enough temporary workers in place to send out a full complement of 10 recycling crews across the city.

The extra workers are providing cover for vacant posts that have built up since the strike began and for staff who are off sick from within the council's refuse collection teams.

The overwhelming response we've had to our advert for temporary workers means we've been able to start up collections of recycling James Monaghan, Leeds councillor

The temporary bin loaders are being paid £14,446 - the new annual salary for workers under the council's revised pay and grading structure.

A council spokesman said: "The recruitment event was so successful, a list of additional people who want work has been created and nearly 100 names have been added to it so far."

In addition to the green bins, a one-off collection of the city's brown garden waste bins will take place as soon as possible, he added.

Private contractors will continue to collect black bins, working across the city to maintain a regular collection at least once every two weeks.

Targets review

James Monaghan, Leeds council executive board member with responsibility for refuse collection, said: "We're keen to help people recycle despite the ongoing disruption caused by those on strike.

"The overwhelming response we've had to our advert for temporary workers means we've been able to start up collections of recycling from homes across Leeds once again."

A new offer by the council was rejected last month after unions said some of the productivity targets which formed part of the deal were unachievable.

After talks earlier this month, the council's leaders agreed to review the targets.

The latest deal offered by the council would mean an annual pay cut of £231 for refuse collectors, instead of the £4,491 salary drop they originally faced.