Edinburgh bin strike: Pictures show the strikers picket outside the Council offices as 11 more days of industrial action planned in the Capital
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