LIVERPOOL’S 600 binmen and street cleaners will begin industrial action next week in a dispute over pay and conditions.

Members of both GMB and Unite unions will proceed with the action on Tuesday after last-minute talks with employer Enterprise-Liverpool broke down earlier this week.

The workforce also includes street lighting, grounds and highways maintenance staff.

The majority of the workers affected – 90% – belong to the GMB. In a secret ballot, 97% voted for action.

Enterprise-Liverpool said it was “disappointed” with the decision to go ahead with industrial action.

GMB regional organiser Dave Hulse said the action would continue indefinitely.

He added: “Despite making a profit of £74m last year, Enterprise claims it has no money to reward the workers who helped make the profits.”

Union branch secretary Ian Lowes said the industrial action would take the form of hour-long stoppages by each of the public services involved, rather than all-out strikes.

He added: “Different times will be chosen for different services.

“The action is designed to slow down and disrupt services, rather than stopping them altogether.