“load of layabouts, long weekends for the foreseeable future and lots of overtime. Lets all give up our jobs and be bin men. They have it easy and want more money when the likes of us have to take pay cuts to keep our jobs.

If you don't like the contract leave and let hard workers have the job and by the way I hope it rains for the next long weekend they are having, may it be cold, thundery and horrible they will think again”

“I blame the French. Sita is French company and wouldn't dare treat French workers in this way - they know strike action over there works! No doubt this isn't helped by the weaker pound meaning paying our workers costs more in Euros than it used to. Unfortunately, they seem to think they can make Bristol workers take the brunt. I hope our bin men show Mr Sarkozy and his model wife that we're made of sterner stuff.”

“rob,bedminster.

do you realise that this is NOT a despute for a pay increase in todays climate but for a pay increase which was supposed to be settled in november 2008 when 'cost of living' was up around 4.75% !
this is not a increase for extra money ..just for the workers to be brought inline with 'cost of living' for that date..! not 6 months late..!!

sita is a french run company with massive overturns.! bristol council pay sita 'cost' plus 16% to have the contract of refuse collections...you see....... massive profits.

yet sita are saying no ... and they arnt even contributing to the rise..!! bristol council are paying..!! and sita want it locked at that till 2011..!! so not even then are the guys/girls gettin to be in line with cost of living !!

so if i were you before you start shouting the odds and screaming OH ITS EXTRA DAYS OFF OR A LONG WEEKEND..! ......... GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT..!!”

“Appreciate you clearing that up Rob. Cheers.”

“Appreciate you clearing that up Rob. Cheers.”

“Hugh Jass,

> Perhaps you could explain this, Rob. Striking isn't something taken lightly, and is definately not convenient. The firemen went on strike in the winter in 1977 and 2002/3, around Christmas, so I'm sure it wasn't exactly 'convenient' for them, either. <

What I meant was past cases of industrial dispute resulted in strikes that were clearly with one purpose - action. By that I mean it invariably took place (with lots of warning) on the 2nd tuesday of the month or a 1st thursday, and so on, thus proving the workers wanted to make a point, not extend their weekends. In many cases the strikes by other groups were far larger (national) but there was still a sense that it was to make a point during the week, not to slope off early.

Sure, binmen don't really have any central workplace to stand around outside, but I don't recall anyone striking before either side of a bank holiday weekend (just to say that out loud sounds bloody ridiculous)

Hence my point was exactly as you have said - strikes were inconvenient to other groups and thus demonstrated their commitment to action, whereas this carry-on demonstrates only a commitment to have a nice extended holiday weekend.”

“"Oh, they earn more money than me, I haven't had a payrise, they're having a long weekend, bring in the foreign workers, get on with your job - but we wouldn't get off of our fat @rses and do the job ourselves though".

As Mike below says, 'Professional whingers' .”

“Well, if they all get the sack, those calling for it, and all those that think they have an easy job, and are soooo much better off than you will no doubt be queuing up to fill the boots and jobs of the sacked binmen, won't you?

I doubt it. Professional whingers, the lot of you.”

“Effective industrial action needs to cause maximum disruption with minimum impact on the workers. If it is not going to hurt the bosses, why bother striking?

Unfortunately, hurting the bosses of a company that provides a public service will inevitably affect the public. A regretable consequence.

So, striking on Fridays and Mondays gives the strikers a better chance of being asked to work overtime at premium weekend rates, thereby recouping some of their loss of earnings.

Also, some strikers will choose to take paid leave on these days rather than loss of pay. Tag 'holiday' this onto a weekend to be a more effective use of a day off.

Some strikers will be allowed to picket, but the numbers allowed to do this are limited in law. So don't expect to see a pickets on every bin-bag in the city.

I don't think the economic climate has anything to do with this particular dispute. It is related to the intransigence of the employers and the fact that workers are not going to be exploited for the benefit of shareholders in France. Those with principles will make a stand, those without will roll over and be used.”

“"Firemen, postmen, tube staff, I can't think of another industrial action in the past that was run so conveniently for the strikers, it's supposed to be a show of action, not a long weekend off".

Perhaps you could explain this, Rob. Striking isn't something taken lightly, and is definately not convenient. The firemen went on strike in the winter in 1977 and 2002/3, around Christmas, so I'm sure it wasn't exactly 'convenient' for them, either.”