With some already facing industrial action, more councils began strike action today following last night’s unsuccessful pay negotiations. An increase of around 5% was rejected.
Johanna Baxter, UNISON Scotland’s head of local government, said: “COSLA negotiated within the cost envelope that leaders mandated them but that simply isn’t enough and goes nowhere near matching the pay offer provided to council workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
GMB Scotland senior organiser, Keir Greenaway, warned that unless COSLA and the Scottish Government make a significantly improved pay offer, more strikes will start across councils in just a few weeks.
Edinburgh
In Edinburgh, bin crews have been on strike since 18 August, with the disruption to last until 30 August. The council has reassured its residents that it is developing a “detailed recovery plan so the clean-up can begin immediately following the strike”.
Finally got a response from @Edinburgh_CC who confirmed they will not be getting in any external agencies to clear the rubbish despite possible health concerns #EdinburghBinStrike pic.twitter.com/c1kuMc6JRY
— Iona Young (@ionagyoung) August 24, 2022
The city of Edinburgh council leader Cammy Day said: “Naturally I’m disappointed that COSLA have once again failed to reach a deal with the Trade Unions.
World’s most beautiful city?
Not this week, #Edinburgh.
Pay bin collectors properly or threaten the health and safety of every in Scotland.including the 1000s here for tourism- possibly for the last time.#BinStrikes #EdinburghBinStrike pic.twitter.com/kde8zo6ZuB— Dr Kasey McCall-Smith (@KMSonIntlLaw) August 24, 2022
“With strike action set to begin in councils across Scotland from today, we need the Scottish Government to get back round the table.”
Edinburgh has advised residents to keep waste inside during this time, and not to leave bags next to bins unless this is unavoidable, as it can become a hazard.
Edinburgh fringe whinge. For the love of God, pay the binmen. City looks a disgrace. #EdinburghBinStrike #EdinburghFringe pic.twitter.com/KkmTAISnb9
— Jane Warnes (@janewarnes) August 23, 2022
Residents have also been told to keep separating waste and rinse pots, tubs and trays, and rinse and squash your plastic bottles and aluminium cans, “so that these don’t smell while you store them”.
Residents were also told to keep food waste in a sealed container, as cool as possible.
Glasgow
Similarly, Glasgow city council has issued guidance for residents to minimise the amount of waste produced wherever possible or to compact it as much as they can.
Some advice included breaking non-recyclable plastic packaging with scissors and flattening their recycling. The council also asked residents to store their general rubbish within their home if they can and avoid using recycling bins to dispose of residual waste.
COSLA leaders are to meet again on Friday.
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