Armagh council 'facing fortnight of bin strikes'

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Armagh-based waste collection workers will go on strike

The Unite trade union has announced two weeks of strike action for Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough council waste collection workers.

The industrial action, to be taken by workers based at the council鈥檚 waste depot in Armagh, will begin on Wednesday 17 July, the union said.

Unite regional officer Brenda Stevenson claimed the work environment at the depot had become 鈥渉ostile鈥.

Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough council has been asked for comment.

鈥淲e鈥檝e been trying to engage with management,鈥 Ms Stevenson told 大象传媒 Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme.

鈥淚nstead of working in a partnership approach with us there seems to be just a very hostile environment," she said.

In a statement, the union said: 鈥淯nite is calling on local councillors to intervene and instruct management to reverse course and avoid the unnecessary disruption to waste collection services in the Armagh area that will result from this strike action."

'Seeking support'

Ms Stevenson said there have been "initial discussions, which were quite positive last week - we would be hopeful that those could continue鈥.

She said her appeal would be for the ABC senior management team to 鈥渟tart proactively engaging鈥 with the union.

She added that Unite members would be 鈥渟eeking support鈥 from other unions in the council.

It is understood Unite is the only union involved in the dispute.