Residents in Manchester are now facing bin strikes after workers voted for industrial action to be taken yesterday.
It comes after more than 90% of the workers in the area – who are employed by outsourced waste management company Biffa – voted for industrial action on a turnout of more than 60% with a dispute that’s said to stem from Biffa refusing to increase wages, GMB Union said.
Biffa is refusing to increase wages for the majority of the workers above the 1.75% that local government workers received for 2021, and GMB Union explained that despite “extensive negotiations”, the waste company was still reluctant to increase its offer, even though it’s “a private company and therefore not bound by public sector pay restraint policies”.
Despite its commercial waste operation being heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and several lockdowns throughout 2020 and 2021, Biffa is still said to have remained “highly profitable”, and recorded pre-tax profits of £26 million last year.
Following the vote for industrial action, GMB Union will now meet with members to discuss dates for the strike – which is said could potentially happen in as little as two weeks’ time.
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Residents in Manchester are now facing bin strikes after workers voted for industrial action to be taken / Credit: Geograph
Strike action could affect up to 220,000 homes in Manchester.
The workers that could be involved in the strike – who are members of both GMB and Unite unions – include drivers, loaders, and environmental operatives.
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Speaking on the results of the vote, Michael Clark – Regional Organiser at GMB Union – said: “Manchester’s residents now face a bin strike. The city’s refuse collectors and street scene services worked through the pandemic, doing a tough job, now they need help to get them through the biggest fall in living standards for 50 years.
“We urge Biffa to come back to us with a decent offer to stop this strike before it begins.”
More than 90% of the workers in the area voted for industrial action / Credit: Flickr (via oatsy40)
A Biffa spokesperson told the MEN in response: “We are in active and ongoing negotiations with the unions and remain committed to reaching a solution as quickly as possible.”
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A Manchester City Council spokesperson also told the MEN following the vote: “We are aware of the ballot decision today to go ahead with industrial action and we will continue to work with Biffa, and we will monitor the situation while negotiations are ongoing to reach a solution and avoid strike action.
“We will continue to put plans in place to minimise potential disruption during any planned strike action.”
Featured Image – Geograph
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‘There must be a way’ – Andy Burnham vows to save Jodrell Bank after funding cuts
Emily Sergeant
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has vowed to save the UK’s largest telescope at Jodrell Bank.
In case you hadn’t heard, back in July, theUK Research and Innovation (UKRI) announced that the Jodrell Bank Observatory – which is home to the Lovell Telescope – will not be prioritised for further funding after its current agreement ends in March 2028, despite the telescope standing in its Cheshire home since 1957.
The UKRI said the decision not to continue funding priority was ‘the result of a comprehensive, evidence-based prioritisation process’.
Since the news broke, however, it has been a topic of national uproar and discussion as to how to ensure its legacy lives on.
A proud part of the University of Manchester (UoM), Jodrell Bank had a pioneering role in the development of radio astronomy, and has evidence from its emergence as a new science in the 1940s through to the present day, making it an outstanding part of scientific heritage.
The Prime Minister was pressed to address concerns surrounding the future of the site by Sarah Russell, Labour MP for Congleton, in the House of Commons yesterday (1 September 2026).
Mr Burnham replied: “Every one of my generation went on a school trip to Jodrell Bank, and there is no way that we can see its demise – it won’t happen under my Government.
“I know there’s changes that have been made in relation to research funding, but Jodrell Bank is a heritage asset for the country, as well as a research asset.
“There must be a way to save Jodrell Bank, and I give a commitment today, at this despatch box, we will find it.”
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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Northern’s ‘Flash Sale’ is back for 2026 with millions of train tickets on sale for £2
Emily Sergeant
Millions of train tickets are currently on sale for just £2 each, as Northern has brought its popular ‘Flash Sale’ back for 2026.
A whopping FOUR MILLION of them, to be exact.
For the last couple of years, the rail operator has made life a little easier for train travellers by giving them the chance to grab one of several million tickets for much cheaper than normal – and now, with the cost of living crisis sadly continuing to make its impact felt, Northern has decided to kick off the autumn season by slashing prices once again.
It means that millions of people will have the opportunity to make a cut-price journey across the north of England before the end of October is out.
With the company’s regular ‘Flash Sales’ having gone onto become a, somewhat, legendary event at this point, it probably comes as no shock that you’ll need to act fast if you want to be in with a chance of get your hands tickets.
Tickets went live today and the sale runs for three days, closing on Friday 4 September – with tickets valid for travel between 9 September and 23 October 2026.
The top local destinations with the most tickets available in the sale are Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Airport, Manchester Victoria, and Manchester Oxford Road, as well as Wigan and several other neighbouring towns.
A list of routes where tickets will be available can also be found using the ‘cheap fare finder’ tool on the Northern website here.
Northern’s ‘Flash Sale’ is back for 2026 with millions of train tickets on sale from £2 / Credit: Northern | Wikimedia Commons
“With four million tickets up for grabs, this is one of our biggest Flash Sales yet, and there’s something for everyone,” commented Alex Hornby, who is the Commercial and Customer Director at Northern.
“With millions of tickets available for just £2 each, our Flash Sale will make the railway even more appealing, and we believe it will inspire everyone to explore everything our fantastic region has to offer, from bustling cities to countryside and stunning coastlines.
Emily Sergeant -
13th April 2022 
