Strikes among refuse workers in Falkirk began today after no agreement was reached nationally between trade unions and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).
The action means that many bins will not be emptied, recycling centres will be closed and streets will not be cleaned as first Unite the Union and then the GMB join the walkout.
The industrial action has already seen rubbish piling high in Edinburgh's streets during the annual festivals and there was hope that agreement could be reached before other council areas were affected. However, last-minute talks on Tuesday, between COSLA and the three trade unions involved in the pay claim, failed to reach an agreement.
Read more: Falkirk bin strikes remain on as union says more detail is needed on five per cent offer
Unite the Union said the latest offer of five per cent "fell far short of members' expectations".
In a statement, they said: "The offer does not take account of the current cost of living crisis that all members are suffering and does not come close to that offered in England, Wales and Northern Ireland."
Falkirk Council refuse collectors, street cleansing teams and recycling centre workers who are members of Unite walked out today (Wednesday) to start eight days of targeted industrial action.
Members of Unite the Union, Unison and the GMB all turned down an initial pay offer of two per cent and an increased offer of 3.5 per cent last week.
Kevin Robertson, chair of the Falkirk Council branch of Unite, said that workers taking action did not want to be on strike but felt they had been left with no alternative.
Speaking on the first morning of the strike, he said: "We're sad that we're in this position, but we're resolute," he said. "The turnout has been good and we're getting great support on the picket lines."
He added that the strikers were all particularly pleased at the support they were getting from members of the public passing the picket line.
Trade union leaders are now calling on the Scottish Government to provide more funding for councils that would allow them to give staff a better increase, targeted towards the lower paid.
Unite the Union's industrial action will last for eight days, finishing next Wednesday.
GMB union members in waste services are also planning to walk out, with strikes from Friday, August 26 to Monday, August 29, and Wednesday, September 7 to Saturday, September 10.
Advice for residents during bin strikes
Falkirk Council has given advice to residents during the industrial action.
In a statement, they said: "The uncertainty around staff availability means that we cannot say on any given day which bins will or will not be emptied.
"For this reason, our advice is to put your bin out by 6:30 am on your normal collection day but take it back in if it is not emptied by the end of the day.
"If your green bin (landfill waste) has not been emptied, please place out from September 1 and we will collect as soon as we can.
"If your blue, burgundy, brown bin or black box is affected during the strike period, do not put it out again until your next scheduled collection day, as we will not have the resource to catch up in between.
"Food and AHP collections will occur as normal on strike days, as they are collected by a council contractor. However, collection times may differ.
"We will not be in a position to collect any additional waste when bins are collected either during, or on your first scheduled collection after the strike period ends.
"Bulky uplift collections are also suspended for the time being.
