Tips closed by staff walkout

Hundreds of householders were being turned away from tips today after workers went on strike over pay.

Angry drivers expecting to take rubbish to 13 sites across Staffordshire were turning up to find the gates locked and picket lines outside.

Rubbish was starting to pile-up at some sites, including at Bilbrook, in Pendeford Mill Lane, near Wolverhampton, where three pickets were today manning the gates.

The strike, which is set to last until Monday, has hit 13 tips run on behalf of Staffordshire County Council, including Bilbrook, Wombourne, Cannock, Lichfield, Burntwood, Rugeley, Stafford and Stone.

Members of the GMB and Unite unions are protesting at a 2.47 per cent pay offer from private firm Enterprise, which is sub-contracted to run the centres.

In Wombourne drivers were turning around today after reading signs alerting them to the strike.

Warranty engineer Mark Lucas, 44, of Arundel Road, Wordsley, said: "This has caused a problem for me today because the Wombourne tip is easier to get to than Stourbridge where the access is a nightmare."

Eddie Biondic, a 55-year-old gear box service engineer, who lives in Common Road, Wombourne, said: "In one way it's understandable in this economic climate, but any rise they get will be reflected in our council tax."

Queues of cars formed at the Poplars site in Eastern Way, Cannock and St Alban's Road, in Stafford.

Brian Painter, from Hammerwich, said: "I wish I could get 2.45 per cent. With the current financial climate these guys should thank their lucky stars they have secure jobs."

Steve Mills, GMB shop steward for Staffordshire, said he expected as many as 1,200 to be turned away from at Stafford's tip today.

Council waste manager Kevin Glaze urged the public to be patient.