NORTHWICH and Winsford residents could be facing bin strikes in the run up to Christmas. 

Refuse workers at Cheshire West Recycling (CWR) are being balloted over possible strike action after the GMB union rejected the council-owned waste disposal company’s latest pay offer on Monday, November 6.

The vote will open on Monday, November 13, and will run until Monday, December 11, meaning a decision on whether to strike will be made well in time for Christmas.

The Unite union is also believed to be balloting its CWR members, but they have not yet confirmed this.   

This comes as neighbouring Warrington's bin workers are in the midst of strike action which has seen residents' bins emptied just once in six weeks. 

A GMB spokesman said: "More than 120 GMB members working for CWR are now balloting for industrial action after rejecting a pay offer from the company.

"The ballot opens on Monday, November 13, and closes on Monday, December 11."

A CWR worker and GMB member, who asked to remain anonymous, said the company’s rejected offer included a flat £1 an hour rise for all workers.

He also said GMB were seeking to negotiate a review of paid holidays to bring all workers in line.

Those whose employment contract started under Cheshire West and Chester Council receive up to 30 days a year,  he added, while those who started work for Cheshire West Recycling get just 21 days.

A spokesman for CWR said: “Discussions with the relevant trades unions and workforce are ongoing. 

"We're actively working to avoid any industrial action.”