ALLERDALE Waste Services has reacted to the judicial review on the use of agency staff during industrial action. 

Charles Holmes, managing director of Allerdale Waste Services, said that the employment of agency workers has 'kept an essential' waste service going throughout a prolonged period of industrial action. 

The comments come before refuse unions were set to meet Cumberland Council and Allerdale Waste Services yesterday to resolve the current ongoing strike action.

The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations that came into force on July 21, 2022, have allowed employers to hire temporary staff during incidents of industrial action. 

As of August 10 this year, the previous ban on agency workers will come back into force. 

The High Court has found that the regulations were unlawful. 

Unions up and down the country have claimed it as 'significant' victory. 

“Allerdale Waste Services (AWS) has been following the lawful Government Regulations throughout the current dispute to keep an essential waste collection service operating with as minimal disruption to residents as possible," Mr Holmes said. 

"This has meant that around 94 per cent of domestic waste has managed to be collected since the strike action began.

"The Government have confirmed that they are considering whether to appeal the decision.

"AWS will of course adhere with what the Government and law stipulates.

“It is disappointing that the strike action has been prolonged and despite several fair and reasonable offers tabled by AWS to the Unions, an agreement has yet to be reached. Following the meeting on July 4 - at which the Unions put forward a variety of proposals of their own - AWS have confirmed what they were able to accept and what required further consideration.

"I remain hopeful that the follow-up meeting planned for Monday 17 July will see an end to the dispute and get AWS staff back to work. 

“Should Monday not see a resolution reached and an end to the industrial action that has lasted for almost 12 weeks, then AWS will be left with no alternative but to consider further options and next steps," he said. 

The workers, who are employed by Allerdale Waste Services (AWS), a company that is owned by Cumberland Council, have been on all-out strike since May 16 in a dispute over wage parity with their colleagues in the former Copeland and Carlisle council areas.