Talks continue in bid to avert strike over bin collection

AMID threats to disrupt bin collection services across Dublin from Thursday, the Labour Relations Commission yesterday intervened in the ongoing dispute between SIPTU and a Dublin council over plans to outsource refuse services to a private collector.

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has written to the public telling them it intends to stop providing household waste collection from the end of this month. It will hand over control of the service to Panda at that point.

SIPTU, which represents council staff, says such a move is in breach of a Labour Relations Commission recommendation in November 2008 and in September 2009, that direct labour collection of waste in Dun Laoghaire be maintained.