And parish Constable Simon Crowcroft was ‘solely’ to blame for the strike, said the local official of the Transport and General Workers Union Nick Corbel.
But Mr Crowcroft said he was astonished at the 11th-hour objection by the union to plans which have been developed over three years and have been the subject of extensive consultation.
He accused the union of ‘putting a gun to the head’ of the parish.
This morning gardeners, stonemasons, refuse collectors and mechanics were not working.
However, dispensation from strike action was given to staff in homes caring for the elderly and to those who work in parish graveyards.
The dispute centres on a planned three-month experiment due to start today for a refuse collection round from 11 am until 7 pm.
