Unite has confirmed that Renfrewshire Council waste and refuse workers in Renfrewshire are set to strike later this month for 8 days.
Strike action is set to begin at 5am on Wednesday 14th August and end at 4.59am on Thursday 22nd August.
Unite, along with Unison and GMB, have announced strike days for their members in other council areas.
Unite said they welcomed ‘positive talks’ held yesterday involving Shona Robison MSP, cabinet secretary for finance and local government, unions and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).
A 3.2% rise between 1st April this year and 31st March 2025 was offered by Cosla and rejected by a majority of members in Unison, Unite and GMB.
Unite warned, however, that a new ‘credible offer’ must be tabled ‘imminently’ and said it would not suspend its scheduled strike action until that occurs.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “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.”
A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the planned national action and continue to engage with the trade union in respect of this dispute.”
Barry Fisher, Chief Executive at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Scotland is facing a litter emergency. Sixty-nine per cent of people across Scotland report seeing single-use food containers, wrappers and packaging littered.
“Industrial action in recent years led to shocking images highlighting just how much waste is created by our habits and desire to eat and drink on the go, and the sheer volume of single-use packaging, that goes in bins or ends up as litter.
“We are really concerned about the impact of this action on local economies, businesses, and communities.
“However, we also recognise the vital role that council waste and streetscene teams across Scotland play in keeping Scotland beautiful and litter free. Everyone is facing challenges due to the cost-of-living crisis and we urge all those involved to find a resolution so industrial action can be averted.
“If proposed action does take place, our message is clear – consider what you buy, #ChooseToReuse cups and bottles and if you can’t, take your waste home – to help those who are tasked with managing our waste.”
Article last updated: 01/08/24 10:37
Below are the councils and the unions linked to the councils:
- Aberdeen City Council: Unite, GMB
- Aberdeenshire Council: GMB
- Angus Council: Unite
- City of Edinburgh Council: Unite, GMB
- Clackmannanshire Council: Unison
- Dumfries and Galloway Council: Unison, Unite
- Dundee City Council: Unite
- East Ayrshire Council: Unison, Unite, GMB
- East Dunbartonshire Council: GMB
- East Lothian Council: Unison
- East Renfrewshire Council: Unite
- Fife Council: Unison, Unite, GMB
- Glasgow City Council: Unison, Unite
- Highland Council: Unite
- Inverclyde Council: Unison, Unite, GMB
- Midlothian Council: Unison, GMB
- North Ayrshire Council: Unite
- North Lanarkshire Council: Unison, Unite
- Orkney Islands Council: GMB
- Perth and Kinross Council: Unite, GMB
- Renfrewshire Council: Unite
- South Ayrshire Council: Unite
- South Lanarkshire Council: Unison, GMB
- Stirling Council: Unison, GMB
- West Lothian Council: Unison, Unite
Local authorities not impacted by the strikes are:
- Argyll and Bute Council
- Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
- Falkirk Council
- Moray Council
- Scottish Borders Council
- Shetland Islands Council
- West Dunbartonshire Council
Sack the lot of them and replace with immigrants who want to work.
They are a joke They’ve been overpaid for years makes me sick.