Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) assures most of its services "will run as normal" despite planned strike action from all UNISON members employed by the council.

HDC was informed that members of UNISON intend to take industrial action this Friday, October 6, in relation to a pay dispute relating to the pay award for 2023/24.

If industrial action goes ahead, HDC will delay all green bin and bulky waste collection services on October 6 to allow them to prioritise collecting household and recycling waste.

If the issue is not resolved, UNISON also intends to pursue a period of industrial action in the form of an ongoing period of work to rule from Monday, October 9.

READ MORE: 

Cllr Martin Hassall, Executive Councillor for Corporate and Shared Services, said: "We have further talks scheduled with UNISON this Wednesday, October 4, to discuss the results of the all-staff ballot and to seek a resolution to this year's pay dispute.

The Hunts Post: untingdonshire District Councillor Martin Hassall, executive councillor for corporate and shared services.untingdonshire District Councillor Martin Hassall, executive councillor for corporate and shared services. (Image: HDC)

"Arrangements have been put in place to ensure that we can maintain our frontline services as best we can, and most will run as normal, but if industrial action goes ahead, some services have had to be prioritised at the expense of others, and we would ask for the public's patience.

"We will continue to keep our residents informed via our website and social media."

A spokesperson added that "most services will run as normal", with Council Tax, Housing Benefits, Homelessness, Environmental Health, Leisure Centres, and many other services continuing to support residents.

The Refuse and Recycling services will also continue, but to deliver these statutory services, which HDC must carry out by law, green bin and bulky waste collection services will be delayed. 

If industrial action occurs, then garden waste collections due on Friday, October 6, will now be moved to Saturday, October 7, and residents are asked not to put their garden waste bins out for collection.

On the day of the potential industrial action, it is expected no collections of bulky waste will occur.

However, residents can make bookings via the online form as normal for other days or take items to their local Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Residents are advised to use the HDC website, which will be kept up to date with the latest information.