More Strikes Announced In Southampton

More strikes have been announced by unions in the dispute over paycuts to workers at Southampton City Council - the row's now beeen going on for two months.

Unions say further strikes will take place from Monday, July 25 for seven days.

The areas on strike will be:

* Waste and recycling (bin men)
* Street cleaners
* Itchen Bridge Toll collectors
* Parking enforcement officers

Staff working for the council signed new contracts on July 16th, which for many meant agreeing to pay cuts which unions are angry about.

The council says the move will save 400 jobs. It says it's looking at how it can mitigate the impact of the srikes and will send out up to 10 contracted-in bin lorries to collect household rubbish next week.

Councillor Royston Smith, Leader of the Council, said:

"I am of course disappointed that more strike action has been called.

"Our residents will be put through yet more misery.

"However I will not let this news deter the council from doing all it can to from bring an end to this dispute.

"We will continue to meet with unions to resolve this.

"In the meantime we will do what we can to continue to provide services for our residents while staff are on strike."