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City bracing for rubbish strike City bracing for rubbish strike
(about 19 hours later)
Litter and rubbish could pile up across Glasgow with refuse collectors planning an indefinite strike over "life changing" alterations to their shifts. Litter and rubbish could pile up across Glasgow with some cleansing staff planning an indefinite strike over "life changing" shift alterations.
Glasgow City Council wants to move staff to a four days on, four days off working pattern. Those balloted include street sweepers, cleansing teams and park staff and the action may lead to bin men refusing to cross the picket lines.
The council said the public would get a better service, seven days a week and that £5m a year would be saved. Glasgow City Council wants to move the staff to four days on, four days off.
But the unions object to the plan and have given the council notice of the impending industrial action.But the unions object to the plan and have given the council notice of the impending industrial action.
The council said the public would get a better service, seven days a week and that £5m a year would be saved.
The Glasgow strike - to begin on 10 August - comes after protracted crisis talks between council leaders and union officials.The Glasgow strike - to begin on 10 August - comes after protracted crisis talks between council leaders and union officials.
The strike was called off in June when the council withdrew a deadline for staff to sign up to new contracts, but unions say further talks have now broken down.The strike was called off in June when the council withdrew a deadline for staff to sign up to new contracts, but unions say further talks have now broken down.
'Disappointing move''Disappointing move'
Martin Doran, the GMB union's organiser in Scotland, said: "The dispute is primarily about work-life balance.Martin Doran, the GMB union's organiser in Scotland, said: "The dispute is primarily about work-life balance.
"Glasgow City Council are endeavouring to change our members' terms and conditions by putting them on to a structure of four on, four off, working."Glasgow City Council are endeavouring to change our members' terms and conditions by putting them on to a structure of four on, four off, working.
"Obviously work-life balance is very important for our members to spend quality time with their families and undertake and pursue leisure activities.""Obviously work-life balance is very important for our members to spend quality time with their families and undertake and pursue leisure activities."
The planned action comes as Edinburgh City Council has called in private contractors to clear up the mess caused by strike action there.The planned action comes as Edinburgh City Council has called in private contractors to clear up the mess caused by strike action there.
I think the situation in Glasgow will be a lot worse than it is in Edinburgh Martin DoranGMB Scotland organiserI think the situation in Glasgow will be a lot worse than it is in Edinburgh Martin DoranGMB Scotland organiser
More than 1,000 binmen in Edinburgh have been working to rule in protest at plans to alter their pay structure. They claim the changes could see their wages cut from £19,000 to about £12,000. More than 1,000 bin men in Edinburgh have been working to rule in protest at plans to alter their pay structure. They claim the changes could see their wages cut from £19,000 to about £12,000.
Robert Booth, executive director of Glasgow City Council's land and environmental services, told The Herald newspaper: "It is disappointing that, at a time when others are losing their jobs, our workforce has rejected a deal which not only improves the service we provide to the public but also protects jobs and wages."Robert Booth, executive director of Glasgow City Council's land and environmental services, told The Herald newspaper: "It is disappointing that, at a time when others are losing their jobs, our workforce has rejected a deal which not only improves the service we provide to the public but also protects jobs and wages."
He said the council would do what it could to minimise disruption.He said the council would do what it could to minimise disruption.
Mr Booth added: "I am less confident, however, that a strike will not harm the department and its strong claim on being the workforce best able to deliver services that authorities all over Britain are currently considering outsourcing to the private sector."Mr Booth added: "I am less confident, however, that a strike will not harm the department and its strong claim on being the workforce best able to deliver services that authorities all over Britain are currently considering outsourcing to the private sector."
Mr Doran said: "Unfortunately I think there is going to be a lot of hardship for the citizens of Glasgow.Mr Doran said: "Unfortunately I think there is going to be a lot of hardship for the citizens of Glasgow.
"There's going to be litter strewn all across the city with the tenemental (sic) properties and particularly in shop fronts.""There's going to be litter strewn all across the city with the tenemental (sic) properties and particularly in shop fronts."
He added: "I think the situation in Glasgow will be a lot worse than it is in Edinburgh, just because of the structure of the property, the way it lies in Glasgow."He added: "I think the situation in Glasgow will be a lot worse than it is in Edinburgh, just because of the structure of the property, the way it lies in Glasgow."
Further talks will take place next week, and union leaders said they were still hopeful that strike action can be averted.Further talks will take place next week, and union leaders said they were still hopeful that strike action can be averted.