Eight-day bin strike threat for Highlands as pay talks between GMB Scotland, Unite, Unison, Cosla and Scottish Government stall
An eight-day bin strike could hit bin collections in the Highlands next month after pay talks stalled.
The unions GMB Scotland, Unite, and Unison have all served formal notice of their intent for a walkout from 5am on Wednesday, August 14 until 4.59am on Thursday, August 22,
The industrial action dates come after pay talks between the unions and Cosla, which represents Scotland’s councils, stalled. The Scottish Government joined negotiations yesterday (Tuesday).
If the strike goes ahead, Highland Council will be among the local authorities affected.
Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland senior organiser in public services, said a rejected pay offer of 3.2 per cent had failed to match the escalating cost of living or the rise offered to council workers in England and Wales.
He said: “We had constructive talks with the Scottish Government and Cosla yesterday but our members are less interested in constructive talks than fair pay.
“The process has gone on too long with too little progress.
"We are more than halfway through the year and there is no more time to waste discussing old offers with new wrapping. Enough is enough.
“Industrial action will start in two weeks unless ministers and local authorities identify the money needed to make an acceptable offer.
“These strikes will be disruptive to all the Scots who rely on our members' work but would not be necessary if councils had shown a greater urgency and sense of realism.”
If the strike goes ahead it could cause significant disruption for residents in some Highland communities, where the ongoing roll-out of changes to collections to increase the number of domestic bins means that certain recycling bins are now only emptied once a month. It is not known what will happen if one of those monthly collections is missed due to the strikes.
However, union reps have spoken of “positive” recent discussions, raising the hope that a pay deal may yet be reached - but they also stressed that the industrial action will go ahead “unless a solution can be found”.
Unison Scotland local government lead David O’Connor said: "Talks this week with the Scottish government were positive. The cabinet secretary says he understands that additional funding from government is necessary and has committed to work towards that.
"Unison has been trying to get pay resolved since the beginning of the year and these government talks come too late to prevent strike notices being served. But at least we're forcing employers and government to focus on trying to find a settlement."
Unison Scotland local government chair Colette Hunter added: "Strikes are always the last resort. But local government staff have seen the value of their wages reduced by a quarter over the past 14 years.
"They’re simply asking for a pay deal that recognises the essential services they deliver and starts to address years of below-inflation pay settlements.
"Cosla and the Scottish Government must understand the anger among council staff. They are resolute and strikes will go ahead unless a solution can be found."
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: “Thousands of Unite members will take strike action next month unless there is a new credible pay offer put on the table.
“Our membership has waited months for an offer which reflects their professionalism and the dedication which they put into delivering vital local services.”
Graham McNab, Unite industrial officer, added: “Unite stands ready to enter into meaningful negotiations at any time but our members need to see a significant shift in the coming days to avert strike action. Strike action is not yet inevitable but action from the politicians must be imminent.
“There is a window of opportunity to resolve this dispute but the politicians should be under no illusions that our members will take strike action if necessary to secure the pay offer which they deserve.”
