Cleansing workers from the Unison, Unite and GMB unions have announced that they will be staging industrial action across most of Scotland later this month.
Workers from 26 local authorities will walk out after a 3.2% pay offer from councils was rejected by members who claimed it failed to match the escalating cost of living.
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) said that the current offer is the "limit of affordability for councils" but promised they would try and find a resolution to the issue “as quickly as possible”.
If you're worried about how these strikes will affect you, here is everything you need to know.
Enough is enough: We tell Scotland's councils to expect eight days of strike action across waste and recycling after months of pay talks go nowhere.https://t.co/2bNwQD7O59 pic.twitter.com/pAf95FB8iT
— GMB Scotland (@GMBScotOrg) July 31, 2024
How will the bin strikes in Scotland affect me?
The eight days of industrial action will affect scheduled residential and public bin collections across the 26 councils.
Discussing the planned strike action, GMB said that bins "from the smallest villages to the biggest cities" will not be emptied by waste and refuse workers.
When will the Scottish bin strikes take place?
The bin strikes across much of Scotland are set to take place from August 14 to August 22, affecting the Festival Fringe in Edinburgh which runs from August 2 to August 26.
🗳️ With over 95% support, UNISON members are ready to strike for fair wages in 14 councils. Let’s stand with them! #UNISONStrikes https://t.co/201x9Hqjui pic.twitter.com/EXn0fhZHcJ
— UNISON Scotland (@unisonscot) July 18, 2024
The full list of local authorities affected by the bin strikes
The following 26 councils will be affected by the bin strikes taking place this month:
- Aberdeen City Council: Unite, GMB
- Aberdeenshire Council: GMB
- Angus Council: Unite
- City of Edinburgh Council: Unite, GMB
- Clackmannanshire Council: Unison
- Dumfries and Galloway Council: Unison, Unite
- Dundee City Council: Unite
- East Ayrshire Council: Unison, Unite, GMB
- East Dunbartonshire Council: GMB
- East Lothian Council: Unison
- East Renfrewshire Council: Unite
- Edinburgh City Council: Unison, Unite, GMB
- Fife Council: Unison, Unite, GMB
- Glasgow City Council: Unison, Unite
- Highland Council: Unite
- Inverclyde Council: Unison, Unite, GMB
- Midlothian Council: Unison, GMB
- North Ayrshire Council: Unite
- North Lanarkshire Council: Unison, Unite
- Orkney Islands Council: GMB
- Perth and Kinross Council: Unite, GMB
- Renfrewshire Council: Unite
- South Ayrshire Council: Unite
- South Lanarkshire Council: Unison, GMB
- Stirling Council: Unison, GMB
- West Lothian Council: Unison, Unite
The bin strikes are set to take place between August 14 and August 22.
