REFUSE workers are planning a series of one-day strikes in protest at changes to their contracts.

The first strike involving refuse workers in Redcar and Cleveland will begin on Monday, starting at 6am, and lasting for 24 hours.

This will be accompanied by a continuous overtime ban, taking effect from the same time.

Tim Bush, a regional organiser for the TGWU, which is representing the refuse workers, said: "It gives us no satisfaction to make this announcement, but due to the intransigence of the authority, our members are left with no other option but the ultimate sanction.

"We apologise in advance to the council tax payers of the borough."

Mr Bush said that the union's previous offer of a discussion with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council stood, and that it was willing to reopen negotiations, pending the council's withdrawal of dismissal notices.