COUNCIL bosses have taken out a newspaper advert stating their case in the latest twist in their row with refuse workers.

In a notice taken out yesterday, in the local press, leaders of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council urge the public to dismiss the "scare stories" surrounding a possible strike by binmen.

The advert, headlined Possible Cleansing Strike, was placed in response to what the council describes as the "misleading" information given so far on the issue.

The statement, jointly issued by the council leader, Councillor David Walsh, and its chief executive, Colin Moore, says: "The council has a duty to be fair to its workforce. It has a higher duty of service to the public."

The advert outlines what the council says are key facts in its proposals to amend the binmen's contracts.

It states: "We have guaranteed no one will work late shifts more than six weeks a year, and we will take family commitments into account. No one will work more than a 37-hour week, and no one will lose out."

John McDade, a regional officer for Unison, which is representing the binmen, called the advertising campaign "extremely insulting to the people of Redcar and Cleveland".

Mr McDade said the fact that most people support the binmen is shown by a petition.

"We have got 4,000 signatures, which shows the public hasn't been consulted," he said.

The results of a strike ballot among refuse workers are expected to be announced today