LEEDS REFUSE WORKERS' THREE MONTHS STRIKE AND CONDUCT OF LEEDS CITY COUNCIL

That this House congratulates the Leeds refuse workers who, after three months on strike, have defeated the plans of the Liberal Democrat and Conservative controlled Leeds City Council to impose pay cuts of up to 30 per cent. on this group of low paid workers; notes that the public of Leeds refused to be mobilised against the workers despite the frantic efforts of the council's public relations machine and the aggressive approach of the Liberal Democrats led by Councillor Richard Brett; is concerned that although the justice, fairness and dignity of the refuse workers' case was evident from day one, the Liberal Democrat leadership of the council, along with their Conservative allies, has taken three months to recognise it, thus ensuring unnecessary disruption for the citizens of Leeds; calls for a full audit of the cost of the dispute to be published; and pays tribute to the tremendous solidarity of those GMB and Unison members who refused to submit to the provocative behaviour of the council and who went on to achieve a great victory.