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Refuse workers in Salford stage one-day strike

27/06/2007

Around 140 dustmen, road sweepers and recycling teams in Salford have gone on a 24-hour strike over a dispute concerning the use of agency staff.

The refuse workers, which are represented by the Unite union, are demanding an end to a two-tier pay structure for agency workers, some of whom have worked for the city for years, and council employees.

Under the current structure, agency workers earn £5.35 an hour, compared to £7.92 for permanent council staff.

Mick Cashman, senior organiser for Unite, said: "More and more employers are using employment agencies, paying workers below the rate and denying job security.

"We believe that this results in the exploitation of agency workers and the undermining of the pay and conditions for direct workers."

As well as voting for a one-day stoppage, union members have called for a work to rule and a ban on overtime.

Keith Mann, a spokesman for the council's environmental services, believes the facts do not support the union's claims and he said that all established jobs are occupied by permanent staff.


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