LIBRARIES shut and mountains of rubbish continued to grow as the largest wave of strike action yet was unleashed in Southampton today.

More than 300 council workers were walking out in a long-running and costly dispute over proposed pay cuts affecting around 4,300 staff.

Library closures

• Today - Only Shirley Library will be open 9.30am- 5pm
• Tomorrow - Only Shirley Library will be open 10am- 5pm
• June 30 - Only Bitterne Library will be open 9.30am- 5pm
• July 1 - Only Bitterne Library will be open 9.30am – 5pm
• July 2 - All Closed
• July 4 - Only Central Library will be open 9.30am – 5pm
• July 5 – Services resume

Five sections of the council are on now strike for at least seven days, including for the first time around 80 librarians who will be picketing the central library.

More rubbish misery will be heaped on residents as bin men strike again after 20 hours of talks between the council and unions collapsed in stalemate last week.

The council has brought in agency workers in hire trucks in recent days to remove tons of black rubbish bags around tower blocks it says are now posing a health risk.

Bin men have refused to collect rubbish not put in bins during breaks during their strike action under a work to rule.

But the council refuses to issue any council tax refunds claiming it is not legally able to offer them.

The industrial action by up to 2,400 union members – now in its sixth week – is thought to be the longest to have hit any council in the country.

Both sides claim they are willing to resume talks but notices threatening staff with the sack if they don’t sign up to worse contracts by July 11 remain a stumbling block for the unions.

They want the notices withdrawn in return for a halt in industrial action before they discuss any savings with the council.

In an open letter to council chiefs the Unite and Unison unions said: “This would allow a positive atmosphere for discussions to flourish without the backdrop of escalated industrial action.”

The council insists pay cuts will protect 400 jobs as it seeks savings of £65m over the next four years.

Southampton Strikes

• 110 refuse collectors on strike until July 5
• 80 librarians on strike until July 5
• 60 street cleaners on strike until July 5
• 40 parking staff on strike until July 5
• 20 Itchen bridge staff on strike July 5
• 20 children’s workers on strike from Thursday

A “breakthrough” offer last week by the council offering to remove half its workers – those earning under £22,000 – from its proposed pay cuts of between two and 5.5 per cent, depending on earnings, was merely noted by union leaders. Unite said it was an attempt to “divide and mislead”

the workforce.

Twenty children’s workers will join the strikes on Thursday when up to 750,000 teachers, civil servants and public sector works walkout across the country.