Health

Trash cans full of trash in Edinburgh as binmen begin 12-day strike demanding better pay


Pictures captured bins full of rubbish in Edinburgh as garbage collectors began a 12-day strike as residents were warned of ‘significant disruption’.

Visitors to the Edinburgh Fringe in the Scottish city are likely to encounter piles of rubbish over the next two weeks after workers demanded higher wages, affecting trash collection and street cleaning as well as closing shops. recycling center.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had earlier called on council leaders to make an offer of 5% pay to council workers to avoid further strikes affecting other local government services.

Hundreds of GMB and Unite members were offered a 5 per cent pay rise on Friday after previously turning down offers of two per cent and 3.5 per cent.

It is unclear whether they will accept this latest pay rise, which will be funded with an additional £140m in funding from the Scottish Government.

The trash can attack began on Thursday and will last until August 30.

Pictures captured bins full of rubbish in Edinburgh as garbage collectors began a 12-day strike as residents were warned of 'significant disruption'.  Photo: Today

Pictures captured bins full of rubbish in Edinburgh as garbage collectors began a 12-day strike as residents were warned of 'significant disruption'.  Photo: Today

Pictures captured bins full of rubbish in Edinburgh as garbage collectors began a 12-day strike as residents were warned of ‘significant disruption’. Photo: Today

A source told Edinburgh News: ‘They have agreed to give 5% to the unions and see if that can help improve the situation.

‘We’ll have to look a bit more, but we’ve also asked us to continue our discussions with the First Deputy to look at flexibility on things like how we finance debt and use the account. more flexible council allocations.’

But GMB and Unite have yet to say whether they will accept it. However, the source continued: ‘It’s a serious offer and I don’t know what will happen if they don’t accept it. I don’t think it’s possible for anyone to recover from this unless the government comes up with new plans. ‘

Cosla, who is negotiating on the side of local government in Scotland, said through her resources spokesperson, Councilor Katie Hagmann: ‘Following today’s extraordinary meeting of leaders, they asked me to proceed with our union partners on the basis of an offer that increases the overall value by 5% and in addition increases the Scottish Local Government Living Wage to £10.50.

‘In doing so, the Leaders have reaffirmed the need for a discussion with the Scottish Government on how they can support councils by providing flexibility and long-term funding support. . This will limit risks to public services and impacts on the community. ‘

On Thursday, riots were held at recycling and waste centers across the capital and a protest was held outside city halls after the strike officially began at midnight. 5 a.m.

Visitors to the Edinburgh Fringe in the Scottish city are likely to come across piles of rubbish after workers demanded higher wages, affecting trash collection, streets and the closure of recycling centres.  Photo: Piles of the station

Visitors to the Edinburgh Fringe in the Scottish city are likely to come across piles of rubbish after workers demanded higher wages, affecting trash collection, streets and the closure of recycling centres.  Photo: Piles of the station

Visitors to the Edinburgh Fringe in the Scottish city are likely to come across piles of rubbish after workers demanded higher wages, affecting trash collection, streets and the closure of recycling centres. Photo: Piles of the station

Speaking at city halls, Graeme Smith, who runs the Unite branch, said: ‘Staff are feeling very angry about the pay offer. We were offered 2% initially, which is an insult.

‘Cosla then came back five months later and rose to 3.5%. Again, not something we might even consider giving to members during a cost-of-living crisis. So there is a lot of anger. ‘

He said rubbish had piled up at the Royal Mile and that picking up from households would not take place during the strike, with recycling centers also closed.

Mr Smith continued: ‘Inevitably, waste will pile up.

‘Having a huge impact, it’s an important act in critical times.

‘Members cannot put food on the table. When winter comes, they will choose between heating and eating.

‘So that’s why we were forced to take such dire measures.’

Edinburgh council leader Cammy Day attended the protest outside city halls on Thursday in support of striking workers.

He said: ‘There will be disruption. Council and unions have agreed that some services will continue to be provided for life and emergencies but mainly community waste and personal trash will not be collected. in the next two weeks. ‘

He said the council had published advice on storing waste at home while the strike was going on.

When asked if he was doing anything to resolve the dispute, Mr Day said he had written to the First Deputy and called for an earlier meeting of Cosla to discuss a new salary offer then to be held on Friday.

The Labor Commissioner said on Thursday: ‘We will of course try to find more money.

‘But it needs the Government and Cosla to talk and find a solution to this problem as quickly as possible.’

A restoration plan will be put in place to get the city back to normal once the strike is over, he said.

Hundreds of GMB and Unite members working for local councils are now said to have been offered a 5% pay rise after having previously rejected offers of 2% and 3.5%.  Photo: Some other garbage

Hundreds of GMB and Unite members working for local councils are now said to have been offered a 5% pay rise after having previously rejected offers of 2% and 3.5%.  Photo: Some other garbage

Hundreds of GMB and Unite members working for local councils are now said to have been offered a 5% pay rise after having previously rejected offers of 2% and 3.5%. Photo: Some other garbage

Street hygiene is also affected by industrial disputes

Street hygiene is also affected by industrial disputes

Street hygiene is also affected by industrial disputes

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (pictured on Wednesday) had earlier called on council leaders to make an offer of 5% pay to staff to prevent further strikes which were also planned

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (pictured on Wednesday) had earlier called on council leaders to make an offer of 5% pay to staff to prevent further strikes which were also planned

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (pictured on Wednesday) had earlier called on council leaders to make an offer of 5% pay to staff to prevent further strikes which were also planned

Mr Day added: ‘None of us wanted strike action, but when we did, the Government failed to meet the needs of the workforce and the Cosla leaders strained money for every local government. in Scotland, we need all of them to join the discussion and find a solution. ‘

After the protest outside the city halls, on Thursday, cleaning workers marched through the city center to join another line at Waverley station – where the RMT union held a gathering. another as part of a separate industrial dispute.

Earlier, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Unite local government representatives have rejected a tiny 3.5% offer from Cosla.

‘The offer is nowhere near good enough.

‘Council leaders across Scotland including Edinburgh and Glasgow are publicly on the record acknowledging this fact, so why should our members even consider it?’

Strikes at 14 other local authorities in Scotland are scheduled to take place between 24 August and 31 August.




Source link

news7f

News7F: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button