Council reveals plans to combat bin strike
8:38am Saturday 10th May 2008
COUNCIL bosses say they intend to carry out "as many collections as possible" during the Blackburn and Darwen binmen's strike.
Blackburn with Darwen council is using a private firm to collect rubbish from homes hit by the strike over pay.
And skips have been placed in neighbourhoods, including outside schools, to collect household waste from overflowing bins.
Members of the Unite union have confirmed more strikes by bin men, street cleaners and gardeners will take place next Thursday and Friday in the ongoing row over changes to town hall salaries.
Thousands of residents did not have their bin emptied as a result of the first two-day walkout last week.
Now council bosses have advised people to put their bins out as normal on their collection date after employing Blackburn-based Neale's Waste Management to help out.
A spokesman said: "There is further planned industrial action next week but talks are continuing with the unions.
"The advice for residents is please continue to put your bin/items out on your collection day at the normal collection points and it is our intention to try and complete as many collections as possible."
Recycling collections will carry on as normal.
The skips are to be emptied and removed on Monday. A list of sites with skips is at www.blackburn.gov.uk.