Nearly 3 months after it started, the city-wide bin strike has finally come to an end today. Refuse workers have accepted a pay offer which protects their income and rules out privatisation.

The strike started back in early September, when refuse workers walked out after the Tory/Lib-Dem council inexcusably used equal pay legislation to cut the pay of bin men by £4,500 from an £18,000 salary – to bring their pay in to line with low paid women working for the city council.

The council took far too long to come to the negotiating table. It's strategy, described by John Battle MP as "political adventurism" was aimed at privatising the service, not harmonising pay.

Rachel welcomed the end of the strike, saying "In Leeds we want a council that can stand up and support people in the recession and provide decent public services for tax-payers. And that includes those people living in poorer areas of the city – who were largely ignored by the contracted replacements in favour of easier-to-navigate affluent suburbs. The last 11 weeks show the risks we face with a Tory or Tory/Lib Dem government, regardless of Dave Cameron's vaporous rhetoric."

Keith Wakefield, head of the Council's Labour group told the Yorkshire Post: "I am obviously delighted that an agreement has finally been reached between the unions and the council to end the industrial action of bin workers and street cleaners in the city.

"However, we cannot get away from the fact that the reason this industrial action happened was because of the sheer incompetence shown by the Tory-Lib Dem administration in control of the Council.

"There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that an agreement could have been reached to end the strike a lot earlier, if the council had not refused to speak to the unions for four weeks at the beginning.

"We will now be seeking to establish what the true cost of this industrial action was to the tax payer, as we remain totally unconvinced by the figures put forward by the Council so far."

The end of the bin strike is welcome. But this council's errors will not be quickly forgotten by the city.

The Queen today opened Parliament. In her speech to Parliament she laid out the government's legislative agenda, an agenda welcomed by progressive voices around the country. Progress has published these responses, including Rachel's. You can see them here

Rachel said:

‘We need to ensure that the banking sector are never again allowed to bring the economy to its knees. That’s why it’s right that the Queen’s speech included measures to crack down on irresponsible bonuses. And, as we re-build the economy we need to reduce government debt – but not until that recovery is assured. Halving the deficit is realistic and responsible – and shows that while we must support businesses and families through the recession we must ensure that we get back to balanced budgets again to support growth and prosperity in the future.'

The Queen's speech set out the agenda of a progressive government, fighting for what is right. A party broadcast on the speech: "Fighters and Believers" will be aired tonight on BBC 1 and ITV at 6.55pm, and BBC 2 at 5.55pm: you can preview it here

Rachel and a group of local volunteers were in Bramley on Remembrance Sunday, giving out leaflets to local residents.

The leaflets were produced by Hope not Hate to mark Remembrance Sunday. Hope not Hate was launched in 2005 as a positive alternative to the BNP's politics of hate.
The leaflet includes information on the BNP's politics of hate, Nick Griffin's history of Fascism, the contributions of non-white and non-British soldiers against Nazism in the World Wars and the work of Hope not Hate.

Rachel said, "Remembrance Sunday is a time for reflection on the contribution and sacrifice of millions against the hatred of Facists. I'm glad that we were able to spend some time on Remembrance Sunday spreading a message of hope, as against the politics of hatred espoused by the BNP. I encourage people to find out more about Hope not Hate's excellent work."

For more information on Hope not Hate please see www.hopenothate.org.uk

A group of parent ambassadors from schools in Leeds West welcomed Rachel Reeves, Labour’s local parliamentary candidate, to their residential training programme this week at Northern College in South Yorkshire.

The parent ambassadors are from a range of schools in Farnley – Cobden, Ryecroft, Lawns Park and Farnley High School, and they receive training and support, to help them to help their children and to encourage other parents to get more involved in their children’s education and to brush up on their own skills. It’s a great scheme for parents and also for their children. Rachel was pleased to be able to attend their residential training event, to lead a session on communication skills.

Rachel said, “I think the parent ambassadors group is great, really ground-breaking. It’s excellent for the parents to be able to meet and support one another, and receive training that will in turn help their children to succeed. The parent ambassadors group is well led by Christine Morton, and I hope that it can continue to grow and succeed.” The group also work with Education Leeds and Leeds University and many parents are now studying for qualifications – some for the first time.

Two of the parent ambassadors who attended the residential training are Sarah Haseltine and Lisa Barker. Sarah said, “Its great to help parents understand how much there is out there to support them. Maths and English have changed a lot in recent years, and courses like this help us to help other parents and their children”.

Lisa commented, “We’ve come to this course to help us to be able to approach parents within the school environment. Parent ambassador groups are there to help parents feel at ease. I’d encourage any parents to join in!”

After reading Cllr Richard Brett claim in the Guardian that the refuse pay-cuts were "notional", Rachel has written a response to the paper. Her letter, published on 6 November, is available here

Anyone who supports the striking refuse workers is encouraged to write to the papers to express their thoughts on the matter.

It is unacceptable that the council is using this issue for their political agenda, with apparent disregard for the effect of a 30% wage cut on the workers.

On Tuesday Rachel went to visit Gemma Stow’s local business, called Skillz Education, which had featured in Rachel's recent Channel 4 documentary on Leeds West.

Gemma explained the business, “We work locally with young people who are not achieving as much as they could be at school. We provide them with support, and teaching in subjects like PSHE, Construction and Fashion and Retail. We’ve seen some really exciting success stories so far, and have big plans for the future.”

Rachel observed a lesson in Fashion and Retail, and spoke to Kizzy Best; a student at the Centre. Kizzy is taught in Fashion and Retail by Sarah Pinnell, and also receives weekly PSHE lessons, where a wide range of subjects are covered. Lessons are also conducted at the Centre in Construction, by John Guthrie.

Rachel commented, “It's fantastic to visit local businesses like this one, which really provide great services for our community. Skillz Education benefits students with a second chance at training and education. I wish Gemma, and the many other young entrepreneurs like her in our area, well.”

Rachel recently filmed a short documentary for Channel 4's 'political slot'.

Aired on 2nd November, Rachel speaks to small business owners, entrepreneurs and apprentices in Leeds West, to find out how they are faring in the recession and their hopes for the future: