Bin men have been hailed as the new heroes of the Angus Covid-19 frontline.
The refuse workers were singled out for special praise by a senior councillor as he added his voice of thanks to authority staff for their work in “exceptional circumstances”.
Communities convener Mark Salmond said the council had been hit hard by staff absence during the pandemic.
The Montrose Independent said: “I am reluctant to single out any one particular area, but I have seen the public appreciation of the work of our waste collection staff and I feel I must echo those thanks.
“Staffing is significantly down among our waste and recycling collection teams – by more than a third in some cases – and yet those who are able to work, supported by re-deployed staff and agency workers, are pulling out all the stops.
“They may not be commonly regarded as emergency workers, but they are working on the front line in emergency circumstances to provide an essential service for us all and they have my heartfelt thanks for that.”
Communities vice-convener, Montrose Independent Tommy Stewart added: “They are working in very trying circumstances day upon day.
“We are continuing to adjust, wherever possible, to try reduce any issues they are facing while on their duty.
“It is undeniable that social distancing has proved a challenge in delivering this service, but it is one we are trying to surmount with the support of redeployed staff and vehicles.
“Their work is critical to us as a council and to the Angus public as a whole. I have nothing but praise for the shift they are putting in,” said Mr Stewart.
Not all of the council’s bin collections are being completed because of the reduced staff numbers, with kerbside food waste uplifts predominantly hit.
All of the Angus recycling centres remain closed until further notice.
