Council bin strike ‘suspended’

The Armagh bin strike has been suspended, it has been announced this evening.

Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council and Unite the Union in a joint statement said, “A meeting took place today (5 Sept 2024) where there were differing views expressed as to industrial relations between Council Management and Unite the Union.

“Both parties agreed that a review would take place to address the issues raised between Management and Unite. In order for this to be facilitated, Unite agreed to suspend industrial action from 00.01 Friday, 6 September 2024.”

Bin Collection Update

Bin collections will return to normal in the Armagh area from tomorrow Friday 6 September. Crews will endeavour to collect all routes planned for each calendar day and residents are advised to leave your bin out for collection by 7.00am, and until it is collected.

Due to the disruption to service residents are advised to check the Find My Bin Day page on the council’ website here: https://bit.ly/3TgQCtt or download the ABC Council App.

Where crews are available in addition to the scheduled collections, the most severely impacted areas, and waste streams will be prioritised for collections.

The council added, “This period of disruption has been a difficult time for everyone involved, we wish to thank our residents in the affected areas for their patience and understanding at this challenging time.”

Councillor Paul Berry said, “Bin Strike Suspended - thankfully after several weeks the industrial action has been suspended from 00.01 Friday 6th September.

“The Independent Appeal Body dismissed all grounds of the appeal and the Council has been vindicated.
I always stated that this despicable strike action was unwarranted as the Appeal Process was taking it's course independent from Council and the appellant.

“I thank the people of Cusher & Armagh City for their patience through this serious distruption and I salute the staff who worked tirelessly on this matter for weeks, especially our Refuse staff who worked overtime and Amenity Site staff.

”Normal service will resume but a recovery plan is in place to get routes back on track.
No words of apology are sufficient to the ratepayers but thank you to all who contacted me to update on areas not lifted etc and help me report it directly to the Team involved.”