WREXHAM Council say they are 'hugely disappointed' with Unite following talks that took place this week. 

The authority met with the union on Wednesday (October 11) to discuss bringing the council worker strike to an end. 

Council workers in Wrexham have been on strike since early September amid an ongoing pay dispute

Picket lines have been formed at Abbey Road, Ruthin Road, and Queen's Square as workers continue to fight for their pay.

Several services have been affected by the industrial action, most noticeably bin collections across the city. 

Discussions took place this week, with the council stating a 'positive offer' was made to the Union, but nothing has come back. 

The authority also say they are aggrieved with the conduct of the union following this week's talks.

A spokesperson said: "Wrexham Council is hugely disappointed that Unite broke the agreement about keeping ongoing discussions between the council and Unite positive before a response had been received from Unite to the formal offers to end the strike made by the council on Wednesday (October 11). Information has been sent out by Unite which criticises the ongoing constructive discussions.

"After a series of meetings over the last fortnight with Unite representatives involving the chief executive, leader of the council, relevant chief officers and human resource staff, the council on Wednesday – having listened to the concerns – made a number of offers. These did not break the agreed process for national pay negotiations, but included items that the council was in a position to consider under delegated authority.

"In fact the council was one of a number of local authorities that also lobbied for further positive considerations to be taken into the national pay negotiations, and this has been recognised by the lead negotiating body.

"The council will continue to work hard to seek a resolution to this, support employees and deliver public services, but will not accept inappropriate ways of handling partnership working and discussions. The aim is that after receiving a written response from Unite, which may well amend the already tabled offer, further discussions will take place next week."

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The council say that the agreed process with Unite was for a response to be received by the end of Thursday (October 12) and then if required, a further meeting to take place today (Friday, October 13) to try and resolve the situation.

However yesterday (October 12) Unite released a statement saying that no offers had been put forward and that they were to hold two meetings next week with local councillors to discuss the ongoing industrial action. 

A Unite spokesperson said: "Sadly, we are now six weeks in and are no further forward to finding a resolution than we were in week one. Our members whilst committed to the next six weeks of industrial action and further, if necessary, we remain fully focused on finding a resolution which will be acceptable to a majority of our members.

"Unite believes that it should not be accepted that our essential public service workers are ignored and continue to be paid salaries significantly lower than their neighbouring authority workers at Flintshire County Council.

"Our members live in Wrexham and are your constituents, they and their families want their bins collecting and their homes repaired in a timely manner like every other resident. We do not believe our members should be working for poverty pay, and currently there has not been a single proposal brought forward by Wrexham CBC.

"As of today (Thursday 12th October) we now have grave concerns for public safety in the county, Unite had given Wrexham CBC exemptions for striking members to take part in gritting and winter maintenance to protect the public should weather conditions dictate the need, Wrexham CBC today have said they do not wish for any striking worker to take part in such an essential service.

"With this in mind, and in the spirit of transparency we are scheduling two meetings where we invite Wrexham Councillors to attend."