Bin strikes to hit Edinburgh festival as trade union pushes ahead with strikes

Householders across Scotland may not get their bins emptied after council workers backed strike action over a pay dispute.

The Unite trade union said they have received a mandate for strike action across sixteen councils in Scotland.

The standoff comes as unions and council chiefs are engaged in a standoff over wages.

An offer by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities’ (COSLA) amounts to 2.2% between 1st April and 30th September, and two per cent for a 12 month period afterwards.

The offer was rejected and Unite will soon reveal details of strike action involving waste workers, street cleaners, and recycling centre operators.

Strikes could begin in just over two weeks’ time and hit the Edinburgh international and fringe festivals.

Bin strikes in 2022 left Edinburgh's streets overflowing with rubbish.

The sixteen councils include Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow.

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.”

Another union, GMB, has also warned of strike action.

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