Refuse workers have taken to the picket line as industrial action gets under way across the country due to a dispute over pay.
The strikes will involve Unite union members walking out from today until September 1, while their GMB counterparts will strike from August 26-29 and September 7-10 respectively.
It is expected to affect operations at a number of different councils across Scotland in the coming weeks, including in Aberdeen, the Highlands and Orkney.
Pay settlements for council workers in Scotland are dealt with by local authority body Cosla and are determined through negotiations with unions at the Scottish Joint Negotiating Committee, a process which is ongoing.
About 30 workers were on the picket line outside Aberdeen City Council’s Kittybrewster depot at 6.30am this morning, with red Unite flags being waved and cars tooting their horns in support.
‘We are here for the long haul’
Unite regional officer John Bowland joined council workers on the picket line.
He said: “We’re out here because workers want an actual decent pay rise as auto increasing costs, because of the actual increase in cost of living, it’s probably had a bigger impact on everybody, but particularly on those that are on a lower pay.
“It needs to be actually reflected in the pay increases and so far it’s not actually been reflected in the actual offers that’s been made, so we’re looking for a higher offer.”
Acknowledging worries that the strike could lead to Aberdeen’s streets becoming a mess and potentially leading to an increase in vermin, Mr Bowland said: “We don’t want to be here, strike action is always a last resort, but we’ve got as far as we can actually go far as we can actually go with discussions via Cosla.
“We really need the Scottish Government to actually intervene and actually help resolve this situation. We are here for the long haul, but hopefully it won’t be needed and hopefully we’ll get a quick resolution.”
Key workers who kept streets tidy during Covid
On the picket line was council waste supervisor Malcolm Neil, who said: “We’re looking for fairer pay for all these guys here. We worked through Covid, so really harsh times, and then to be hit by the bills and energy prices, it’s just not acceptable.”
Refuse loader William Christie said: “We need the pay rise, it’s happening in England, they’ve been offered 12%, so if they’ve been offered that, why are we not getting offered it?”
Another striker, who did not want to be named, added: “We’re not out to hurt anybody or anything, we’re just wanting a fair wage.”
‘We can’t keep going on like this’
In the Highlands, pickets lines have been set up at depots across the region including in Alness and Dingwall.
About 10 Unite members were gathered outside the site on River Drive, to protest over pay with some arguing a flat rate for all council workers would make more sense.
It would ensure the lowest paid and the highest paid workers were paid the same, with one member saying that with current salaries “people are better off being unemployed”.
Alness Depot is the third biggest in the Highlands with five vehicles and about 20 crew.
This includes agency workers who do not belong to a union and were still working on strike day, with all workers at the depot choosing to join the picket line.
As the workers gathered round the grill that was set up to make up some bacon rolls, all members were adamant that while they didn’t want to be there, it was necessary.
Alexander Brodie, who works as a HGV driver and who organised the protest, said: “We are striking for fair pay for a good day’s work, which I think we are entitled to.
“We all have to stand united. With rising inflation, the pay rise they are offering just now at 5%, that won’t go anywhere.
“We can’t keep going on like this or we will end up at foodbanks ourselves to feed our families.
“This has been what’s required all along, its been a long time coming and we are going to stand firm.”
Councils working to minimise bin strikes impact on residents
In statements, Aberdeen City Council and Highland Council said they will work to minimise the impact of any action, but acknowledged that it is possible that domestic and business waste collection services may be affected during this period.
Despite this, residents in the regions have been asked to put their bin out for collection by 7am on their usual collection day and take it back in if it is not emptied by the end of the day.
The local authorities added that bins should not be put out again until the next scheduled collection day.
Highland Council also confirmed the Ullapool recycling centre has been closed on Wednesday due to the industrial action.
Aberdeen City Council has said recycling centres are due to remain open but has warned they are expected to be busier during the strike.
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