STRIKE BY REFUSE WORKERS AND CONDUCT OF LEEDS CITY COUNCIL

That this House congratulates all those refuse workers, members of the GMB and Unison, at Leeds City Council who have been solidly on strike since 7th September; recognises that their action is fully justified in the face of the Liberal Democrat-Conservative coalitions determination to reduce wages in some cases by up to one third prior to privatisation of the service; notes that the public of Leeds have been overwhelmingly supportive of the men and women who carry out their work efficiently in all kinds of weather; calls on the current leader of the council, Liberal Democrat Councillor Richard Brett, to acknowledge his aggressive approach to the refuse workers has proved counter-productive; and further calls for a settlement to the dispute which acknowledges the justice, fairness and dignity of the refuse workers' case.