Fears for an all-out strike as private firms empty bins

Published on Monday 27 July 2009 10:28

BIN MEN working for private firms will today begin picking up Edinburgh's trade waste as a bitter pay dispute threatens to lead to an all-out strike.

Private contractors were drafted in at the

weekend to help pick up litter in and around Princes Street and the Royal Mile as thousands of tourists came to the city for Homecoming Scotland celebrations – almost prompting immediate wildcat action.

It has now emerged that the workers will continue to empty bins in parts of the city centre, with council workers concentrating their efforts elsewhere.

The private firm will also handle trade waste as the council's bin men focus on emptying residential bins.

Council bin men said a wildcat strike had been narrowly averted on Saturday morning after workers realised the private firm had been drafted in to cover the Gathering event.

Refuse collectors are taking part in a work-to-rule in response to modernisation proposals which unions claim will see workers lose thousands from their salaries.

The Unite union is currently balloting for industrial action, with officials expecting a vote in favour of escalating the dispute. Members will be given the option of voting for a strike, or further action short of a strike. They have already said that if an increasing number of private contractors were brought in, it would only result in more industrial unrest.

One refuse collector and union representative said: "We're having a round of meetings for all members over the next week. The recommendation is that members vote for further action.

"I reckon it's going to be a long haul. You can't expect people to be told they're losing that amount of money and not do something. Personally I enjoy my job and I take pride in it. It's difficult coming through the city centre and seeing the state of the streets. The contractors aren't doing it to the same standard."

He said staff are currently refusing to work overtime, which is optional, and to stand in for jobs other than their own.

Councillor Robert Aldridge, the city's environment leader, said the council was bringing in contractors to begin collecting trade waste from today.

He said: "The alternative to bringing in contractors to cover the trade waste collections is for us to completely suspend the service. At the moment, businesses who are council trade waste customers are being forced into an intolerable position. If we want to have any business left for our collectors to return to, we have to take certain measures."

Council leader Jenny Dawe added: "We have put reasonable offers in front of the unions and they've rejected these out of hand.

"We cannot let our city go to rack and ruin because a small contingent of staff are refusing to acknowledge change and accept proposals that will benefit the majority and leave them no worse off.

"Proposals to improve shift payments and modernisation of working practices are on the table for discussion and if staff won't provide the service we expect them to, then we are faced with no option but to find someone who will."