The refuse workers’ strike, which has left mounds of rubbish in central Edinburgh, has spread to more than a dozen Scottish councils, with industrial action set to hit schools and nurseries early next month. This is what it’s all about.
What is happening?
Council-employed bin workers in Edinburgh seized the headlines after going on strike last week in a dispute over pay at the height of the Edinburgh festival. Images of piles of rubbish and food waste alongside Fringe performers have been seen worldwide.
Why?
The Edinburgh strike was the first in a wave of stoppages spreading across Scotland’s 32 council areas after council leaders tabled a 3.5% pay offer to 155,000 staff. That increased to 5% after Scottish ministers gave councils £140m extra.
What do unions want?
The unions say all staff should get a flat-rate £3,000 increase in wages because that will proportionately benefit the lowest paid more than the highest paid. A 5% across the board increase means council executives on £80,000 will get £4,000 more but someone on £20,000 will only get £1,000.
What happens next?
Council leaders in Cosla, the sector’s umbrella body in Scotland, are meeting union leaders for fresh talks on Friday. John Swinney, the deputy first minister, is meeting both sides on Wednesday to help broker a deal. But he has said money is very tight, and blames Cosla for failing to act quickly enough to prevent strikes.
