Deputy First Minister John Swinney is to hold an urgent meeting today with council bosses in a bid to stop national bin strikes by helping reach a pay deal.
Swinney, who doubles up as acting Finance Secretary, is also likely to meet trade unions after calls for the Scottish Government to stump up more cash.
A bin worker strike in Edinburgh has turned the Capital into an international embarrassment, with overflowing bins and litter-strewn streets causing revulsion.
More strikes in over a dozen local authorities started today.
The spread of strike action occurred after talks between the unions and COSLA, which represents councils, failed to secure an agreement.
The GMB, Unite and GMB trade unions rejected an initial offer of 3.5 per cent, while yesterday’s summit failed to secure an agreement on 5 per cent.
Although the Scottish Government has no direct role in the talks, they provided another £140m to help COSLA increase their offer to 5 per cent.
Yesterday’s meeting between the unions and COSLA led to both sides agreeing to ask the Government for more money.
It is understood Swinney will meet COSLA later this afternoon and he is expected to meet the unions as well.
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