Households across Aberdeen and the Highlands have been warned they could have to take full bins back in if they are not collected during strike action.
Council strikes beginning today could impact bin collections across Aberdeen, the Highlands and Orkney as pay disputes continue.
Unite is calling on members to strike until 5am on September 1 and then again on September 6 to 13.
GMB members are expected to walk out from August 26 to 29 and September 7 to 10 in Aberdeen and the Highlands.
Orkney Islands Council is warning there will be expected disruption to waste and recycling between Friday, August 26 and Monday, August 29.
With nearly three weeks of strike action scheduled, the local authorities have already prepared for possible disruption to waste collection services.
They have said they will work to minimise disruption and keep residents up to date, but that information on collection might not be known until the day of.
Why are the strikes taking place?
Local government workers in waste are striking over pay. As the cost of living rises, they are demanding a pay rise to help tackle increasing costs in bills, food and petrol.
Unite the Union confirmed around 1,500 staff from around 14 councils in the country would be striking from Wednesday joining those already taking action in Edinburgh.
The offer has since increased to a 5% rise but talks carried out between the Unite Scotland and Cosla on Tuesday, August 23, have determined there will be no further increase offered.
Further talks took place between unions and the deputy first minister on Wednesday, but there was still no breakthrough made.
For more than half of staff, the new offer represents a pay rise between £900-£1,250 compared to the UK Government offering workers in England a £1,925 flat rate pay offer.
The deal would ensure the lowest paid workers would move to a new Scottish Local Government Living Wage of £10.50 per hour.
The dispute could cause months of ‘nationwide disruption’
Unite has refused the offer and said that strikes will go ahead and says that council workers across Scotland “deserve better”.
A further eight days of strikes were announced on Thursday, bringing the total number of confirmed strike days to 16.
Unite industrial officer Wendy Dunsmore added: “Unite has rejected outright the 5% pay offer and strike action across 14 councils will go ahead.
“It’s a sad indictment that council workers in Scotland are being offered substantially less than their counterparts in England.
“The cold hard reality is that inflation and energy costs are soaring – and they are predicted to rise even higher.
“The 5% today will not be worth the same in a matter of months when the cost of living crisis will bite even harder. The offer on the table just doesn’t help the lowest paid make ends meet.
“This dispute will continue to escalate to a point where it could now go beyond the winter causing months of massive nationwide disruption. The blame for this will lie squarely at the doors of Cosla and the Scottish Government.”
While the councils are unsure what the full impact of these strikes on the communities will be, it is expected to affect many across Aberdeen, Highland and Orkney.
What bins will be affected?
In Aberdeen and the Highlands, household and commercial waste is likely to be affected during this time and it is expected that some bins will not be emptied.
Those living in these areas are being asked to put their bins out at 7am on their usual collection day, but to be prepared to take them back in if they are not collected by that evening.
Bins should not be put back out again until the next scheduled collection day.
Aberdeen businesses can find more information on the council’s business waste page.
On-street bins could also be impacted. The public are being asked not to add to full bins they see but rather take home their rubbish if they cannot find an available bin.
Highland Council have said food and garden waste collections in Inverness will also be impacted.
To keep up to date with which areas are affected by the strikes each day, go to their new dedicated webpage.
What can I do to prepare?
Both Aberdeen City and Highland councils have issued a range of advice to help people prepare for the impact of upcoming strikes.
Households are being advised to minimise their waste during strikes so bins do not fill up so fast and to maximise space in recycling bins by squishing down cardboard and bottles.
Any jobs that produce waste, like cutting the grass or trimming a hedge, should be put off until bin collections return to normal if possible.
What about waste and recycling centres?
The local authority is asking people to try to store any waste they can safely until bin collections return to normal.
If you cannot wait to get rid of your rubbish, you can go to your local household waste or recycling centre but remember to bring proof of residency.
These are likely to be busier than usual during the strikes and rubbish should not be piled up beside bins if they are full.
Recycling points will also remain open but collections may be affected by the strikes. Residents in Aberdeen are being reminded these are only to be used for recycling waste and items should not be left outside the bins if they are full.
Bins in Orkney
Orkney Islands Council is warning there will be expected disruption to waste and recycling collection services for four days. This will take place between Friday, August 26 and Monday, August 29.
Residents are being warned these are most likely to affect recycling collections as staffing resources will be used for refuse and commercial waste collections.
However, all could be affected depending on the number of staff taking strike action. They will be releasing additional information nearer the time.
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