The staff who carry out cleansing and waste services for half of the councils in Scotland have voted to go on strike – perhaps in just a few weeks time.
In Edinburgh this would mean that once more the action would class with the Fringe and Festivals.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “After years of cuts to council pay and services, years of chronic underfunding and understaffing, our membership is saying no more. Enough. They have Unite’s unequivocal support in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions across Scottish local government.”
Unite will reveal in the coming days the details of strike action involving waste workers, street cleaners, and recycling centre operators across the 16 councils which could begin in just over two weeks’ time. The union had previously warned major events could potentially be impacted by strike action including the Edinburgh international and fringe festivals similar to the local government pay dispute two years ago.
COSLA offered 2.2 per cent from 1 April to 30 September and then 2.0 per cent from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025. Unite rejected that offer made in May.
Graham McNab, Unite industrial officer said: “Thousands of workers in cleansing and waste services are now on the brink of taking strike action in a matter of weeks. Our members are being left with no choice but to fight for fair pay.”
“Council workers deserve to be treated with respect but instead they received a pitiful pay offer which was rejected outright by Unite. This situation is entirely in the hands of COSLA and the Scottish government who can resolve this dispute at any moment by making a significantly improved pay offer.”
The City of Edinburgh Council Leader Cammy Day said: “We’re aware of the potential for industrial action this summer by trade unions. My priority is delivering good quality public services for the people of Edinburgh all year round but clearly we want to prevent a repeat of the disruption that affected Scotland’s Capital city two years ago.
“We’ll be developing detailed contingency plans ahead of any potential strike action to minimise disruption to Council services should it go ahead. I would strongly urge the Scottish Government and COSLA to work with the unions to find a solution and avert any action.”
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