Bin workers in Dundee and Angus will strike for a week later this month as union bosses demand a “fair and decent” pay offer for staff.
An estimated 1,500 waste collectors across 15 councils in Scotland will walk out in response to a “pitiful” 2% pay increase tabled by Cosla, which manages local authorities.
The strikers, represented by trade union Unite, will refuse to empty bins and clean streets, for eight consecutive days from August 24 until August 31.
It is part of a coordinated campaign to persuade the Scottish Government and Cosla to make a “decent pay offer”, after bin workers in Edinburgh announced strike action during the capital’s busy Fringe festival season.
Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, said: “Unite’s members play a crucial role in keeping Scotland’s bins emptied and streets clean and they have had enough of the procrastination between Cosla and the Scottish Government that has led us to where we are now.
“Our members across all councils will receive the union’s complete support until this dispute is resolved and a fair pay offer secured.
“Unite will always defends the jobs, pay and conditions of its members.
Bin workers in Dundee and Angus among those to strike
Wendy Dunsmore, Unite’s regional officer, is calling on Cosla to make a “fair and decent offer” to avoid the forthcoming wave of strikes.
She said: “Council workers have had enough of sub-standard settlements and deserve a decent wage to sustain their families given the inflation predictions and soaring food and energy prices.
“The failure of both Cosla and the Scottish Government to work to bring an improved offer to the table that could have halted this action means any blame for where we are now should be directed back to them.
“Unite will not tolerate that local government workers are the consistent poor relations and members have now had enough.”
Local government leaders say more information is needed over pay dispute
A spokesman for Cosla said: “We held constructive discussions with Scottish Government last week.
“Leaders met virtually on Friday and at this meeting agreed that they needed further information.
“Given the importance of a pay award for our workforce, council leaders wanted to seek further clarification from both the Scottish Government and the UK Government and will reconvene this week to further consider this matter.”
Other councils taking part in the strike include Glasgow, Aberdeen and Highland.
Last year Dundee City Council implemented a policy which has seen workers stop collecting extra bags of rubbish – or “side waste” – from outside all homes in the city.
It is part of efforts being made by the local authority to improve recycling rates.
The council was asked if it will scrap this policy during the strike but did not answer.
A spokesperson said: “The council is focused on minimising the disruption to waste collection services during this period.
“Residents will be made aware of any future developments on changes to the city’s waste services at the earliest opportunity.”
Angus Council did not respond to a request for comment.
Scottish Government gives extra £140 million for a revised pay offer
The Scottish government said it will offer councils an extra £140m to help them give staff a bigger pay rise following a meeting with Cosla last week.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Following constructive discussions with Cosla leaders, and notwithstanding the financial impact on our fully committed budget, the Scottish Government is contributing a further £140 million of recurring funding to support Cosla to make a revised pay offer to the local government workforce.
“Without the ability to borrow or change tax policy, this will have a significant and ongoing impact upon our fixed budget that ministers are taking steps to address. Finding a solution must be a collaborative endeavour and local authorities now need to do the same.
“This additional funding demonstrates our commitment to local government and their staff and will allow local authorities to make a significantly enhanced pay offer.”
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