4 key questions answered as bin strikes in Dundee, Angus, Fife and Perth and Kinross called off

People across Tayside have experienced significant disruption during bin strikes in recent days.

Refuse staff in Dundee and Angus took part in industrial action between August 24 and 31 in a dispute with council chiefs over pay.

Workers in Perth and Kinross joined the action between August 26 and 29.

But a second planned stint in Dundee, Angus, Perth and Kinross and – for the first time – Fife during the first full week of September has been called off as workers consider a new pay offer.

What does it mean for waste collections now? We answer four key questions.

This article is being updated regularly with the latest information and advice.

1 – Are the bin strikes over?

For now, yes.

The first wave of strikes ended on August 31. A second wave had been planned for September 6-13 in Dundee, Angus and Fife, and September 7-10 in Perth and Kinross, but those are on hold as workers consider a new pay offer.

2 – Do I put my bins out?

Although the strikes are over for now, the clear-up from the first wave of strikes is still taking place.

For people in Perth and Kinross and Fife, the advice is to put bins out for collection as normal.

In Dundee, where no collections took place between August 24 and 31, the council has issued the following advice:

• Scheduled grey general waste bin collections ONLY will be taking place next week (September 5-11).
• Households that should have had their grey bins collected on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of this week should put them out on the corresponding days next week.
• No other bins should be put out – all other planned collections including recycling and food are suspended.

However, the council has confirmed side waste – extra bags of general rubbish – is allowed as part of general waste collections.

Locals are being urged to keep hold of other recyclable items “until further notice”.

In Angus, the following advice is in place for residents:

• Non-recyclable waste (purple bin): Up to three additional bags can be put out at the next collection. General waste skips are also being provided at Brechin, Carnoustie, Kirriemuir and Monifieth recycling centres for one week after the first strike.
• Mixed recycling (grey bin): Recycling can be taken to a recycling centre. Up to two bags of missed recycling can also be placed beside a bin.

3 – Can I go to the recycling centre?

All recycling centres across Tayside are now back in operation.

However, queues have built up outside some sites as people look to clear the backlog.

In Dundee, general waste ONLY can be taken to recycling centres until further notice – so no recyclable or bulky items.

4 – Will workers go back on strike in the future?

The three main trade unions involved in disputes with councils across Scotland – Unison, Unite and GMB – have put a fresh pay offer from Cosla to their members.

All three are recommending this offer is accepted.

It is the latest in a line of proposed deals put forward by council chiefs in recent weeks.

Previously, the unions were unhappy with how the deal would work for those on lower wages.

Members could still reject the offer, but this is unlikely.

If the deal is approved, no further strike action among bin workers is expected in the months ahead.