Leeds pay dispute settled after 12 weeks of solid strike action‏

After more than 11 weeks of continuous strike action 600 refuse collectors in Leeds City Council have voted overwhelmingly to accept a settlement negotiated by GMB and UNISON which will remove the threat of draconian pay cuts.

The victorious strikers will return to work on Wednesday following the climbdown by the Tory/Liberal led council which had mounted expensive strikebreaking operations and had issued threats of privatisation.

UNISON Regional Organiser, Tony Pearson, said: "This is a victory for UNISON and GMB members who stood shoulder to shoulder for 11 long weeks. It has sent a message to other councils that the unions will not tolerate attempts to cut pay of hard-working staff. UNISON thanks the people of Leeds for their unwavering supportduring this difficult time." http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=1656