A UNION leader has warned that dustbins in Pendle could go unemptied in the New Year because of a dispute with the council.

Dustbin men and street sweepers have voted to take industrial action in January in their battle with Pendle Council over bonus pay and the reinstatement of axed temporary workers. They will meet early next month to decide what form of action to take, short of going on strike.

Paul Hoggarth, the GMB's regional organiser, said: "Members may decide to work to rule. That means no overtime which they are doing at the moment to get the job done. On some weeks people won't get their bins emptied."

At the end of October the council introduced a new collection scheme.

Until then, refuse collectors were paid variable bonuses averaging £60 a week over the previous 12 months.

During the introductory three months of the new collection scheme the council agreed to pay the binmen a fixed £65 a week.

Now staff are worried that when the three months is over they bonuses will be cut.

Council leader Alan Davies said: "They are worried their bonus is going to fall drastically. I think they are wrong and they are making a mistake in acting too soon."

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