Council warn of disruption to services as industrial action continues

A planned work-to-rule by union members at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council may see some disruption to services from tomorrow for up to two weeks. 

Council have given some advice to the public in relation to bin collections

• If your bin has not been collected by 5pm on your usual collection day, please remove it from the kerbside. It will not be collected until your next scheduled day.
• There is no missed bin collection service operating during this period.
• Please place your bin back out for collection on your next normal collection date.
• Additional waste can be placed in bags and taken to your Household Recycling Centre for recycling.

Whilst Household Recycling Centres remain open there will be some impact on opening times. See https://bit.ly/3KURvTd

The opening and servicing of public toilets in the district may also be affected.

Downpatrick councillor  Oonagh Hanlon has called for a resolution to the dispute. Cllr Hanlon said "It’s disappointing that negotiations between council management and trade unions have yet to reach a successful resolution and that we face another period of industrial action.

"We believe that an acceptable solution can be found if both sides continue to negotiate in good faith. 

"A needlessly protracted industrial dispute is bad for council workers, bad for council ratepayers, and bad for council service users."

Council management are expected to present proposals for resolving the dispute at a special council meeting on 27 July.

Cllr Hanlon concluded "Hopefully this will deliver an outcome acceptable to both parties, avoids any future industrial action and delivers a good deal for workers and for ratepayers."