Trade unions have asked for more money for staff to work over the festive period, a council official said.

Thousands of Belfast ratepayers could be affected by disruption to refuse collections over Christmas, according to a confidential memo sent by a council chief.

Nigel Grimshaw, strategic director of city and neighbourhood services at Belfast City Hall, blamed trade unions for the threat to services, saying that they had demanded triple time for special collections over the festive period.

In the memo, seen by the Belfast Telegraph, Mr Grimshaw wrote: "In line with nationally agreed terms and conditions, provisions were made to collect bins on Saturday and Sunday 22 & 23 December and Saturday and Sunday 29 & 30 December.

"This means all staff who work on the Saturdays are paid time and a half, and double time for the Sundays.

"This is in line with other council services.

"However, trade unions and some staff have asked for more money to work on the above days.

"Their proposal would in effect equate to triple time."

He warned submitting to the cash demand could set a precedent that could cost the council thousands of pounds.

"To accept this proposal without proper consideration would likely cause a precedent and would mean applying the same arrangements to other service areas that are provided over this period," he wrote.

"This could cost the council up to £100k additional payroll costs and would have to come out of council reserves as there is no budget for their proposal."

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Because there was no agreement between the council and unions on the triple time pay demand, Mr Grimshaw warned of disruption to rubbish collection services.

"At present, we are engaging with staff directly and through their unions to seek the necessary commitment that they will work on the dates outlined above," he said.

"At this stage we have not received the necessary commitment and assurance from staff to plan for a full uninterrupted service; therefore it is likely that some customers, on the above dates may experience some disruption to service.

"With our current volunteer levels we can complete collections for all black and brown (food waste) bins due to be collected on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, however, unfortunately we will not have enough volunteers to empty blue recycling bins or glass recycling boxes, which were due to be collected on these days."

The memo says the council intends to keep residents, businesses and councillors informed about the dispute.

Belfast Telegraph