STRIKING Enterprise staff are holding out for a deal which would see street cleaners paid up to £25,000 a year.
The GMB union, which represents the workers, is also pushing for street cleaning supervisors to earn more than £31,000 a year, up around £2,000 on what they currently earn.
A worker driving a mechanical cleaner on early morning and late-night shifts currently earns around £16,670 basic, plus £6,668 in bonuses.
Talks being mediated by the conciliatory service Acas have failed to reach an agreement.
Although the union said it is willing to meet with the company as long as it commits to “meaningful talks”, Enterprise claimed the demands could cost the taxpayer up to £8m over the life of the contract.
Last night, managers said although they are confident they can deal with the situation, they cannot concede to GMB’s full demands.
GMB officials declined to be drawn into discussions about specific wage negotiations, but said they wanted staff bonuses consolidated into their pay.
