Thought the massive cleanup had begun? Despite the return of garbage workers to the streets of Scottish cities following strike action, Glasgow’s streets remain littered.
Images depict garbage piled high on the streets of Glasgow during a bin collectors’ strike.
GMB strikes in Edinburgh ended at 5 a.m. yesterday, while they ended today in other regions. Chris Mitchell, Glasgow Convenor, is driving proposals for greater compensation in the city. “It demonstrates how vital this job is, yet it is not represented in workers’ pay.”
As a statewide strike by refuse collectors came to a finish today, images of overflowing garbage strewn across Glasgow’s sidewalks are a common sight in the city.
The major cities of Scotland have reported rubbish collection backlogs that refuse collectors may struggle to catch up with.
The Edinburgh International Festival coincided with industrial action in the nation’s capital, which exacerbated the backlog.
The strike in Edinburgh ended at 5 a.m. yesterday, and workers in the majority of local government regions returned to work today, according to The Herald.
Chris Mitchell, convenor of the GMB in Glasgow, led efforts for better wages and working conditions in the city.
He stated, “It’s day four of the cleaning strike in Glasgow, and now there are mountains of garbage and bulk products dumped outside the Queenslie recycling site.”
Unfortunately, the significance of this position is not reflected in the compensation of its employees.
Today, garbage and huge waste objects were stacked in front of the Dawsholm Recycling Centre in Glasgow.
Today, the bin strike in Glasgow ended, but refuse workers face a considerable backlog.
Today, garbage and huge waste objects were stacked in front of the Dawsholm Recycling Centre in Glasgow.
During the refuse strike, the GMB union captured footage depicting a desolate Glasgow. One film depicts a mattress, pallets, and trash bags thrown on the sidewalk beside the closed recycling center.
As trash collectors prepare to return to the streets, they will be confronted with a substantial backlog of trash.
Mr. Mitchell further stated, “The Scottish Government and COSLA must cease playing political football with employees.”
They deserve more, and this should begin immediately with a raise commensurate with the working circumstances they endure.
In Glasgow, the conflict followed a similar walkout during the COP26 climate meeting less than a year prior.
At the time, Susan Aitken, the council leader, was heavily criticized for stating that the city simply required a “spruce up.”
The first refuse strike in the city began on August 18 after the GMB, Unite, and Unison rejected a 3.5% wage raise.
The following week, bin collectors from twenty local councils, including Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Dundee, went on strike despite a 5% wage increase.