Union bosses hit out at calls for privitisation of rubbish collection

UNION bosses have hit out at the council after claims bin men are finishing their shifts up to four hours early - while rubbish piles up on the streets.

By The Newsroom

Published 5th Sep 2016, 12:51 BST

Updated 5th Sep 2016, 13:59 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Overflowing communcal bins and uncollected rubbish - Leith
Picture; Jonathan Polling — Overflowing communcal bins and uncollected rubbish - Leith Picture; Jonathan Polling

DOWNLOAD THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS APP ON ITUNES OR GOOGLE PLAY

An internal council document leaked to the Evening News said refuse staff are failing to work their contracted hours, bringing the council “into disrepute”.

Document reveals bin men knock off 4 hours early as rubbish piles up in Capital

It claimed bin men are rushing to complete their routes in order to get home early - leading to “unsafe working practices”.

And it criticised a long-standing working practice known as “task and finish”, which sees bin men go home after completing their usual route, instead of working until the end of their shift.

A council source told the News: “If the bin crews continue to work like this, then the argument for privatisation will become overwhelming.”

Edinburgh