Refuse workers in Brighton and Leeds still continue bin strike action and unions are in talks with council leaders in a row over pay.

In Leeds, waste for recycling has not been collected since strike action began in the city at the beginning of September.

Leeds City Council has now brought in temporary staff to begin collections again.

Crews will be sent out to empty a small number of green bins from across Leeds.

Last week saw the first strike action in Brighton over pay. GMB branch secretary Mark Turner said that talks are still continuing between the union and Brighton and Hove City Council and there are “no refuse or cleansing services at the moment”.

Leeds City Council councillor James Monaghan said: “For obvious reasons, since the strike began, we’ve had to prioritise black bin collections. However, given the success of our recruitment of temporary workers, we’re now able to begin green bin collections once again.

With the amazing response – 500 people have applied for those jobs – we’ve been able to bring forward our plans to send crews out on recycling routes.

“This proves, that despite the disruption caused by the strike, we’re working as hard and as fast we can to restore refuse services.”