Members of the Unite, GMB and Unison trade unions are taking part in the action which hopes to win a significantly improved pay offer for local government staff.
GMB Scotland organiser Kirsten Muat explained: “Waste will pile up for the remainder of the festival and when people ask why we will tell them: GMB members are not prepared to accept working poverty in our local services as an inevitability even if our political leaders are.
“These strikes are a direct response to the failures of Cosla and the Scottish Government over the last six months to recognise the impact of this cost-of-living crisis on our members and to bring forward a pay offer worthy of their consultation.”
Pictures show the strikers protesting outside the council offices as well as litter building up on the streets.
“These strikes are a direct response to the failures of Cosla and the Scottish Government over the last six months to recognise the impact of this cost-of-living crisis on our members and to bring forward a pay offer worthy of their consultation.”
5. People at a rally outside Edinburgh City Council chambers
GMB Scotland organiser Kirsten Muat added: “The 3.5 per cent tabled last week – a miserly lift on the previously rejected 2 per cent – is a pathetic response while our members struggle against double-digit inflation and energy bills rising to over £4,000 this winter." Photo: Andrew Milligan
6. Protesters on the Royal Mile
Councillors scrapped a scheduled meeting of the Capital’s transport and environment committee today in solidarity with bin workers. Photo: Andrew Milligan
7. Bins in Cockburn Street in Edinburgh
Waste collections have been suspended and recycling centres closed as a result of the industrial action. Photo: Andrew Milligan