All-out bin strike is edging closer

three possibilities of taking further action would be discussed.

These include strike action taken in one-week blocks and socalled ‘nuisance’ action as was used in a recent dispute in Birmingham.

But Mr Holmes said: “I think there will be a big vote for industrial action, I’m 100% certain of that. I think that’s my favourite. There are around 200,000 bins in Kirklees, with 60% of them situated in the Huddersfield area.”

In July bin workers took industrial action, largely in the South Kirklees area including Huddersfield and the Holme Valley, with the Dewsbury area less affected.

And it seems that mood has hardened, with Mr Holmes saying the workers “have had three years of it and they want it sorting.”

If there is a strike then it would begin from Monday, October 1.

He said a bin strike in Leeds, which lasted 11 weeks, resulted in “chaos” and a political change of leadership of the council from a LibDem/Tory coalition to a Labour one - a change which immediately resolved the strike.

The more militant workers appear to be based in Huddersfield, with 95% or so of the workers affiliated to Unison. At the Dewsbury depot, however, it is more complicated with its 60-or-so members equally divided between Unison, Unite and GMB.

Mr Holmes said: “We will approach Unite and GMB about their members not crossing picket lines in the event of a strike.”

Kirklees Council has approached for a comment.