Lack of grit set to cause chaos in North Yorkshire
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Thousands of miles of roads in North Yorkshire could be left ungritted this winter after council chiefs failed last week to resolve a dispute with road workers over overtime payments and bonuses.
More than 150 workers in the county council's direct labour organisation are refusing to do overtime work such as out-ofhours gritting because they are angry at proposals to raise their basic salaries but Out their overtime payments.
North Yorkshire's director of environmental services Mike Moore met the men at an emergency meeting last week but failed to persuade them to call off their action.
Public services union Unison has not officially backed the action, but the workers now plan to vote on the matter in an industrial ballot.
A North Yorkshire spokeswoman confirmed that trunk roads in the region such as the AI and A66 will not be at risk as they are treated by Highways Agency staff.