Hopes that weekend ‘unofficial’ refuse workers strike will be avoided

However, East Dunbartonshire Council said this morning there is still a risk of “minor disruption” to the collection of residents’ household waste.

Workers are furious over plans by the council to radically alter the service which could mean a loss of jobs, a change of shift patterns and an increased workload for those remaining.

One worker told the Herald yesterday: “We are all furious about this. We feel so strongly we are considering unofficially withdrawing our labour and refusing to work overtime this holiday weekend.”

Emergency meetings took place yesterday morning between the council and trade unions to try to resolve the threat of a walk-out.

Afterwards, union officials met with their members at the cleansing department in Hilton Road, Bishopbriggs.

Full-time GMB union official Steven Bailey told the Herald: “Management have put forward a number of proposals for radically changing the service with a potential loss of jobs.

“We are not going to accept that.”

A joint statement from the Council, Unite, GMB and Unison trade union officials this morning said there was “still a risk” of “minor disruption” but added that residents should put out their household waste for collection as advised for the holiday period.

The statement said: “It had been brought to our attention that there may have been a form of unofficial industrial action arranged to disrupt the normal waste uplift service over this Easter weekend.

“Trades union colleagues held discussions with their members late Thursday afternoon regarding this alleged unofficial action when they confirmed there was no dispute and clarified that no such action would take place.

“Given the lateness of these discussions, there is still a risk remaining that some minor disruption may take place, however, we anticipate that this will be minimal and customers should still present their waste as advised last week.”

Residents were advised that from today (Good Friday) until Friday April 25, brown, blue and garden bins will be collected one day later than usual.

General waste collected in grey bins and food waste collection will not be affected by the holiday weekend break, according to the council.

For more information, call the Council’s contact centre on 0300 123 4510.