Falkirk Council: Clean up begins before next round of strikes

The eight-day stoppage saw no household bins emptied or street cleansing carried out and recycling centres were closed.

On the eve of staff returning to work, Falkirk Council said the priority would be to catch up on green bin collections.

But with no resolution to the pay dispute, Unite the union has confirmed further dates for strike action for Falkirk’s waste services and street cleansing workers from 5am on Tuesday, September 6 to 4.59am on Wednesday, September 14.

Members of Unison and the GMB are also still in dispute over pay.

Unions has rejected the £1925 pay rise offered by the local authority body, CoSLA.

The sum was what has been offered to workers in England but the difference in Scotland is only part of this payment would be consolidated into staff salaries. The rest would be given as one-off cost-of-living payments.

Unions said this meant lower-paid staff would not benefit as much as those on higher wages.

A Falkirk Council spokesperson said: “Our priority is to catch up with the green bin collections which were affected during the week long national, industrial action.

“Residents have been asked to present their missed green bins only with zero side waste from Thursday, September 1 and we will attempt to empty as many as we possible can before the next industrial action takes place.

“Additionally, those households that are scheduled to have their green bins collected on September 1,2 and 5 should place these out for collection as normal.

“Food waste and AHP collections have been maintained throughout the period of industrial action, and these will continue as per schedule. Kerbside black box collections will also operate in the period between industrial action.

“Unfortunately with limited time and resources we cannot collect the scheduled blue, burgundy and brown bins.

“Our street cleansing operations resources will be focussed on servicing litter bins.

“Our recycling centres will re-open as normal, with Roughmute open Thursday – Monday and Kinneil open Saturday – Monday, but they are expected to be very busy and we would appreciate your patience. Residents with only glass and textiles should use community recycling points to save them waiting in potentially lengthy queues.

“Further industrial action is due to take place September 6-13 and residents should check out our website for daily updates.”

Unite industrial officer Wendy Dunsmore, said: “Unite has rejected outright the latest pay offer from CoSLA. The structure of the offer continues to disproportionately and unfairly effect the lowest paid with the majority of those being women.

"In real terms it leaves the lowest paid workers no better-off and a significant proportion of the offer does not enhance overtime, allowances or pensions.

“The offer remains unacceptable and it represents a waste of precious time. We understand the gravity of the situation across the country but equally our members are facing the worst cost of living crisis in a generation.

"Unite’s strike action remains scheduled for next week unless CoSLA gets back to us with a credible offer which addresses our primary concerns.”