Edinburgh waste strike would send ‘resounding message’, says Unison

The ballot will close three weeks later on 1 July 2024.

Unison said that if workers vote to strike, rubbish will “pile up” in the streets during the Edinburgh Festival and other summer events.

The union said that the current pay offer from Cosla to local government workers falls “significantly short of what they deserve”, and “well below” the pay claim that union submitted earlier this year.

‘Rubbish will pile up’

Unison Edinburgh branch secretary, David Harrold, said: “If workers vote to strike, rubbish will pile up on the streets again at the Edinburgh Festival – one of Scotland’s truly global events.

“The last thing anyone wants to do is take strike action, but local government workers deserve a fair increase to stop their pay lagging behind inflation and other sectors in the economy. This is about more than just waste workers, we are standing together for fair pay for every council worker in the country.”

Unison regional organiser, Greig Kelbie, said: “I would urge every waste worker in the ballot to look for their ballot envelope and return it as soon as possible. We need to send a clear and resounding message that we demand a fair deal for all council workers. Together, we can make a difference for every council worker who deserves fair pay.”