Tomorrow, street cleaner strikes and bin collection will continue in Glasgow as the city hosts world leaders at the COP26 summit.
Annemarie O’Donnell from Glasgow City Council was informed by the GMB union that members of the city’s cleansing service would strike for one week starting Monday at midnight.
More than 100 world leaders descend on Edinburgh as the Cop26 UN Climate Conference hosts the first day’s two-day world leaders summit.
A Glasgow bin strike (pictured) could lead to the city becoming a giant rubbish dump during the Cop26 climate change summit. Staff are planning a week-long walkout starting November 1.
After a new offer by Cosla, the council umbrella body, the planned strike action was rescheduled for Friday.
The GMB then announced that it would suspend the strike for a period of two weeks in order to consult with members.
Louise Gilmour, secretary of GMB Scotland, accused Glasgow City Council on Sunday of failing to allow its members enough time and space to evaluate the last-minute offer from Cosla.
She stated that there is a lot of bad faith among council members.
She said: “Therefore, our members of cleansing have informed us they will continue with the planned strike action starting at 00.01 on Monday November 1.
“We are calling for an urgent meeting of the council as soon possible. We will work until midnight tonight to fix this.
More than 100 world leaders descend on the Scottish city to attend COP26
“We have also made the Scottish Government aware and are liaising avec the First Minister’s Office. But, without any further dialogue the cleansing service in Glasgow City Council is going to strike action starting Monday and for the entire week of COP26 summit.
The GMB was calling for a £2,000 pay rise and previously turned down an offer of an £850 a year increase for staff earning up to £25,000.
The Cosla proposal tabled on Friday is for a one-year, 5.89 per cent increase for the lowest paid council staff, as part of a £1,062 rise for all staff earning below £25,000.
The Scottish Government gave £30 million to support the offer.