No bins will be collected in Dundee for a week as a refuse workers strike looms.
Dundee City Council has asked residents to “prepare” for the chaos, as Unite waste disposal staff begin industrial action on Wednesday.
Staff at the city’s recycling centres at Baldovie and Riverside are also involved in the pay protest, meaning both are closed.
No household waste or recycling will be collected, with grey, blue, burgundy and food waste cans going unemptied.
The optional £40 per year collection of garden waste (brown bin) will also be suspended.
What should I do with my rubbish?
The council has put out a list of things households can do to limit the impact of the strikes.
It says:
- Do not present bins for collection until advised to do so
- Do not add to communal bins (such as Eurobins) that are already full. If possible, residents should use other bins that are in the vicinity
- In the event that all bins are full, residents should store waste at home, or if this is not possible, store bags in the garden or external common areas of their property
- Do not leave bags next to bins unless this is unavoidable, as it can become a hazard and an attraction to pests
- Continue to separate waste and rinse clean pots, tubs and bottles to avoid creating odours
- Rinse and squash plastic bottles and aluminium cans, to avoid odours and reduce storage space
- Glass should be stored securely to avoid any hazards
- Any cardboard boxes or packaging should also be folded flat to reduce storage space.
- Continue to securely bag food waste and keep in a cool place
The council says: “We understand that this industrial dispute may cause you inconvenience and appreciate your assistance with helping keep the city as clean and safe as possible during the action.
“Members of the public can follow updates on the suspended services and details on the resumption of services following the strike action through the Dundee City Council website, and the council’s Twitter or Facebook pages.”
What else is affected by bin strikes in Dundee?
It comes alongside another strike by street cleaning staff who are members of GMB Scotland Union, from Friday until Monday inclusive.
Residents in Dundee are being asked to read over published council guidance in order to help manage the impact of planned waste services strike action across the city starting from Wednesday (24th Aug).
More info: https://t.co/w41kGFNDLF pic.twitter.com/lgWM2D63xK
— Dundee City Council (@DundeeCouncil) August 22, 2022
These staff will strike again from Wednesday September 7 until Saturday September 10.
Collections from glass recycling points will also be suspended for the duration of the industrial action.
And the council’s bulky waste uplift service and trade waste collections will also not run for the full week from Wednesday.
All online reporting of issues and missed bins will be suspended until further notice.
Why is the strike taking place?
Staff at many councils across Scotland have opted to strike after rejecting increased pay offers — the latest of 5% is still being considered by unions.
As in many of the strikes seen in recent months in the UK, staff are pushing for a significant rise to limit the impact of rising inflation and the cost of living crisis.
Conversation